In 2015, the Health Consumers’ Council (HCC) was funded by the Mental Health Commission (MHC) to co-ordinate a project to build on the recommendations from the November 2014 Forum, Improving Consumer Involvement in the Alcohol and Other Drug Sector.
An Alcohol and Other Drug Advisory Group (AODAG) comprised of government agencies, not for profit organisations, and consumers was set up to oversee progress.
Over time, this group imposed a 50% consumer quorum to ensure the group-maintained consumer led focus and leadership. The project specifically addressed the following recommendations:
- To develop a common set of principles for engagement.
- Outline best practice engagement strategies for the sector.
As a result, a consumer consultant was hired to undertake this work and, the ‘Principles and Best Practice Strategies for Consumer Engagement in the Alcohol and Other Drug Sector in Western Australia’ was delivered to the MHC in January 2017.
In March 2017 the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) funded the HCC to support the ongoing work of the AODAG to progress toward incorporation and the development of consumer training. With this funding, the group became the Transitional AODAG.
Additional funding was received from the Western Australian Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (WANADA) and broad consultation in relation to these deliverables was undertaken.