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We work with Western Australian regional communities to improve health and wellbeing by preventing alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and reducing the harms linked to AOD supply and use. Our approach combines community engagement, evidence‑based planning, and local leadership to create lasting change.

About the AOD Community Prevention Service

The AOD Community Prevention Service promotes and supports grassroots, evidence‑informed, and community‑led initiatives across the Kimberley, Mid West, Goldfields, Great Southern, and South West regions.

Our prevention service focuses on:

  • Employing a place‑based Community Engagement Officer in each region
  • Establishing up to six Community Response Committees in each region
  • Developing, implementing, and evaluating local AOD prevention plans
  • Providing annual grant funding for prevention activities (up to $2,000)

These initiatives address local risk factors, strengthen protective factors, and build community ownership over prevention strategies.

How it works

Each Community Response Committee is made up of community members and place‑based stakeholders. Working with their Community Engagement Officer, they create localised Community Response Plans that outline targeted, evidence‑based alcohol and other drug prevention activities.

These activities may include:

This approach ensures prevention activities are relevant to local needs and align with the Australian Mental Health Promotion, Mental Illness, Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Plan 2018–2025.

Community Engagement and Preventive Health

Community engagement is at the heart of our prevention service. By involving local people and organisations in decision‑making, we ensure that prevention activities are tailored to the community’s unique needs. This community‑driven approach improves health behaviour, builds partnerships across public and private sectors, and supports the long‑term well-being of individuals and families.

How to get involved

If you’re a community member or stakeholder in regional WA and want to help reduce the impacts of alcohol and other drug‑related harm, you can:

  • Join your local Community Response Committee
  • Apply for funding to run a prevention activity
  • Share ideas or feedback with your Community Engagement Officer

Your involvement supports healthier, stronger, and more resilient communities.

Steve Papadopoulos – Service Manager  spapadopoulous@holyoake.org.au

Jo Woodruff  – Team Leader AOD Community Prevention  jwoodruff@holyoake.org.au

Please contact one of our Community Engagement Officers in your region to find out more:

Frequently Asked Questions

Preventive health focuses on actions that stop health problems before they occur. In this program, that means reducing risk factors for alcohol and other drug use and promoting healthy behaviours.

When local people lead planning and decision‑making, prevention activities are more sustainable, better accepted, and more likely to address real community needs.

Health promotion activities, such as awareness campaigns or alcohol‑free events, encourage healthy behaviours, reduce stigma, and help people make informed choices about alcohol and other drug use.

You can contact your local Community Engagement Officer or committee to suggest activities, share experiences, or contribute to prevention planning.

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