vision | mission | board | staff | history | members

Vision

Aboriginal communities will be:

• living happy, healthy, high quality lives, free from the harmful effects of substance misuse, and in control of their community programs, by achieving:
• unity, respect, and self determination, through a process of education for re-empowerment and health, delivered by culturally appropriate programs and services, through community participation and individual commitment.

Mission

To ensure the development of effective programs to reduce harm related to substance misuse in Aboriginal communities, in such a way as to:

• promote and foster pride, dignity, identity and achievement in Aboriginal society, and advocate and actively pursue the philosophy and principles of Aboriginal spiritual, cultural, social, economic and political re-empowerment, self-determination and self-management.

This mission will be carried out principally as an information and advisory centre for the Aboriginal community, the wider community and to relevant professionals and institutions, on substance misuse issues.

History

The Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA)Inc was incorporated in 1993 as a direct result of the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC). The Royal Commission's final report, contained over 387 Recommendations. Various community groups, individuals, Government Departments and other bodies gathered to discuss how best to respond to the report.

In South Australia the Aboriginal community from across the state met a number of times to discuss the Findings. It was agreed that as the majority of deaths had a drug and or alcohol related component, and considering that over 80 of the Recommendations were substance misuse related, that a community controlled response was needed.

After considerable discussion it was decided that one way to address the issues was to create a statewide peak substance misuse organisation. In February 1993, the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc. was established. The acronym for the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc. is ADAC.

ADAC is unique in Australia as it is the only Indigenous peak body of its kind. Currently we represent 22 Aboriginal Community Organisations from across South Australia. ADAC provides responses to a range of state and national committees and strategies, helps communities deal with the problems associated with substance misuse, develops health promotional materials, undertakes research on its own and in collaboration with various universities and key national research organisations.

Members
(For more details on each member organisation visit the members page)

Aboriginal Sobriety Group

Anangu Pitjantjatjara Land Council

Bungala Aboriginal Corporation

Buttlingarra

Davenport Community Council Inc.

Dunjiba Aboriginal Corporation Inc.

Gerard Reserve Council

Goreta Aboriginal Community Inc.

(Formerly Point Pearce Aboriginal Community Council Inc.)

Kalparrin Community Inc.

Koonibba Aboriginal Community Council

Lower Murray Nungas Club

Marree Arabunna Peoples Committee

Nepabunna Council

Pangula Mannamurna (South East Aboriginal Partnership)

Pika Wiya Health Service

Port Lincoln Aboriginal Community Council

Port Pirie Aboriginal Community Centre

Raukkan Community Council Inc.

Tullawon Health Service

Umoona Community Council Inc.

Umoona Tjutagku Health Service

This page last updated: November 2005