Advocacy Award

ADVOCACY AWARD

Eligibility

Any individual or team who has made an outstanding impact in policy and/or advocacy in the alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs field, and can demonstrate one or more of the achievements below:

• positive advancement in the understanding of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs issues in a given community or population group, or
• advocacy for an advancement that is in the public interest (public health or welfare and/or criminal justice), evidence based (evidence that it will work as intended), and has a focus on reducing drug related harm, or
• positive policy change for the alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs field. Change could occur in the following areas but are not limited to; legislative, government, and community, or
• strategy formation, e.g., strategic thinking, coalition formation, government liaison, key messaging.

Selection Criteria

Evidence of the impact made in the alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs field. The nomination should clearly describe the achievements to be honoured, the scope and depth of the impact, and the processes used by the nominee, including for instance, strategy information and the use of evidence to underpin the advocacy /policy.

First Peoples Award

FIRST PEOPLES AWARD

Eligibility

You must identify as a member of a First Nation of Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand (Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori, and Pacifika) and work in: research, training, practice, prevention, or policy in any area related to substance use at any stage of your career.

Note: First Nations professionals are encouraged to nominate in the other categories; Senior Scientist, Early-Career, Mid-Career, Mentor, Clinician, and Advocacy Awards.

Selection Criteria

Evidence of significant contribution to research, training, practice, prevention, or policy in any aspect of substance use. Nominees need to show the extent of the impact of their work and how it has made a substantial and practical contribution to one of these areas. In rating the nominee, the extent to which the practical suggestions, treatment and policies have been taken up in the field will be considered.

For example:

• Research: Contribution to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs research, demonstrated by the range and quality of evidence-based research outputs; broader dissemination and/or implementation strategies to scientific as well as broader audiences (i.e., general public, clinicians, policymakers, other stakeholders.
• Policy: a central role in the development of important policy that has been taken up at a local, state, national or international level, or leadership in the form of management practices and implementation of evidence-based practices.
• Training: a substantial program of training and workforce development using evidence-based strategies that have had a demonstrated impact on responses to Indigenous health.
• Prevention and Treatment: the development and/or implementation of evidence-based practices to prevent drug use, prevent harms or treat the consequences of drug use.

Clinician Award

CLINICIAN AWARD

Eligibility

Any individual in a substantiative (50% or more) position providing direct delivery of clinical services or operating in a strategic managerial position directly relating to service provision.

Selection Criteria

Evidence of significant positive impact on outcomes for consumers and/or service provision in the sector. Nominees will need to show the extent of the impact of their work and how it has made a substantial and practical contribution to the service or sector. Information can include (but is not limited to): publications if applicable, evaluations, recognition from other groups and endorsements, list of initiatives and actions you have taken and the impact they have had.

Lived & Living Experience Award

Lived & Living Experience Award

Eligibility

Any individual who is employed or volunteering in an identified lived or living experience role in the AOD sector is eligible to apply. Individuals must be drawing on their lived and/or living experience of alcohol and/or other drug use in the service of others.

Note: people with lived and living experience are encouraged to nominate in the other award categories – Senior Scientist, Early-Career, Mid-Career, Mentor, Clinician, First Nations, and Advocacy.

Selection Criteria

Evidence of significant contribution to practice, research, training, prevention, or policy in any aspect of substance use working (or volunteering) in a recognised lived or living experience role. Nominees need to show the extent of the impact of their work and how it has made a substantial and practical contribution to one of these areas. The nomination should clearly describe the achievements to be honoured, the scope and depth of impact, including evidence of significant positive impact on outcomes for consumers and/or service provision in the AOD sector.

Examples:

• Demonstrating improvements in policy, practice, research, or workforce.
• Advocating for the rights of people who use alcohol and other drugs.
• Increasing access and retention to AOD and harm reduction services.