Community Drug Action Teams (CDATs) aim to make their local communities safer, healthier and stronger by reducing the harms associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs through evidence-based, primary prevention activities

Community Drug Action Teams arose from the NSW Drug Summit 1999, as a mechanism to bring together community members and government. They build networks with key service providers in their region where they collaborate to develop, design, and deliver activities that positively impact their community.

CDATs achieve outcomes based on the needs specific to their community by delivering activities that aim to build protective factors and reduce risk factors. With over 50 CDATs delivering targeted harm minimisatin and primary prevention activities across NSW each year

CDATs play an important role in building community resilience by providing a platform where people can come together and work to address a common concern.

CDATs initiate action on locally relevant concerns that identify AOD trends and behaviors in their community. CDAT provide and distribute evidence-based alcohol and other drug information, resources, and links within their communities.

Anyone can join a CDAT. Members can include community members such as parents or youth and also community organizations, local council members and those from non for profit agencies.

A CDAT is a group within a community made up of individuals who are concerned about alcohol and drug use. They are informal groups comprised of but not limited to, community members, representatives from various government agencies, not for profits and non-government agencies. CDAT members have a passion for their community and public promotion and are happy to volunteer their time to reduce alcohol & drug harms.

See the list below to find your local CDAT or contact us (Maybe include or not?)

CDATs provide community with the opportunity to access AOD information, education, support, and resources. CDATs also work to support their community to make informed decisions around their overall health and wellbeing. CDATs have a history of enhancing community outcomes through shared resources, equipment, and through activities they deliver.

The NSW Drugs and Community Action Strategy, Evaluation Report (August 2004), NSW Premiers Department evaluated that CDATs had a massive local impact for the communities they worked with.

CDATs assist communities to develop new skills that address AOD concerns, offer training and link community to resources

CDAT activities are evidence-based that target specific groups, issues or address AOD issues as a whole within their community. CDAT activities may focus on a certain drug in a specific community or provide broad information and awareness building campaigns that aim to increase knowledge across a population. Click on the NEWS tab to find more examples.

CDATs are local teams made up of volunteers who participate in regular face to face or online meetings to discuss ideas, activities and AOD concerns. Your role in the CDAT will depend on your capacity, and that of other CDAT members. CDAT roles include a Chairperson, Secretary and Auspice liaison /Treasurer and general members

All roles within the CDAT are essential, however there is 4 main roles within a CDAT, which include: Chair (assist with the running of the meetings by guiding and directing conversation), Secretary (planning meeting agenda items and taking minutes), Treasurer (track budgets and liaise with the auspicing body to manage funds)

The CDAT program is managed by a consortia that is led by Odyssey House NSW and funded by NSW Health.

CDATs are supported by Community Development Officers to plan and develop eveidence-based primary prevention harm minimisation activities.

CDATs are then supported to submit an annual funding request.

Supporting CDAT members to build their knowledge, awareness, and ability to deliver evidence-based activities is our priority. We provide opportunities that explain what primary prevention is, identify drug trends and to recognise emerging drug concerns and way they can confidently grow their membership.

Training programs run across the state to assist the CDATs. They include
What is Primary Prevention
Drug Trends and Emerging Drugs
Importance of Family Drug Support.