Youth AOD Census

The 2025 Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Census has revealed that Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Services can make an extremely valuable contribution to preventing youth crime and improving community safety. 

The Census report details the needs and characteristics of 893 young people when they were first engaged by Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Services across 13 organisations, including YSAS, in May and July this year.

The Census data demonstrates that Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Services are able to engage some of the State’s most vulnerable and ‘at risk’ young people in care.

Over half of young people seeking treatment for substance use issues were found to have had criminal justice system involvement. More specifically, in the 4 weeks prior to first engagement in treatment, 17.1 per cent of young people had been involved in criminal activity, with clients aged 16-17 more likely to have recent justice system involvement.

“The value of Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Service providers be able to constructively engage justice system involved young people in treatment should not be underestimated,” YSAS CEO Andrew Bruun said.

“There is extremely strong evidence that enabling young people to gain control over harmful substance use, is a major factor in reducing their likelihood of involvement in crime.” 

Census findings also confirm that for many young people, harmful substance use is strongly associated with high levels of abuse and neglect, family and intimate partner violence and mental health concerns.  The data shows that the impact of these experiences and problems is compounded by housing instability, school disconnection and unemployment. 

“Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Services have deep experience in working alongside young people and families to address the impact of harmful substance use and other interrelated problems in their lives. Mr Bruun said.

‘Our practitioners are experts at helping young people to stabilise their life circumstances and begin working toward positive developmental outcomes.” 

The Census findings will provide critical intelligence that the State Government can draw on in bringing a 10-year Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy to fruition for Victoria.  

Other findings from the Census on the issues young people face as they enter Alcohol and Other Drug treatment:

• 59.7 per cent of clients had experienced some form of abuse (emotional, physical, sexual, neglect or violent crime)
• Over a third (36.1%) were victim-survivors of family violence, and one fifth were victim-survivors of intimate partner violence (20.5%)
• Around three in five clients had a formal mental health diagnosis, with young women and LGBTQIA+ clients disproportionately affected. Two-thirds of young female clients had a mental health diagnosis (66.5%).
• Three in five clients were experiencing conflict with their family, and over a third were disconnected from their family altogether
• Out of all clients, one third (33.8%) had been subject to a child protection order and one in ten (11.1%) were in out-of-home care
• Around half of all clients were experiencing an education-related concern when they sought support (48.7%)
• LGBTQIA+ clients were disproportionately impacted by family violence, intimate partner violence, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and housing instability

For media enquiries, contact Beth Gibson – 0478 038 226.