The Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport recently held an inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia. The consultation aimed to assess the effectiveness of policies, treatment services, and prevention strategies in reducing alcohol and other drug-related health harms.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) provided a submission highlighting the disproportionate impact of alcohol and other drug-related harms on LGBTIQ+ people. The submission advocates for a health-based, harm-reduction approach, increased investment in LGBTIQ+ community-controlled organisations, and better data collection using the ABS 2020 Standard. LHA’s recommendations aim to address systemic inequities, improve access to culturally competent services, and promote evidence-based drug law reform.