FDS 2023 Annual Report

4 Chairperson Report John Dela Bosca There is no doubting that this year has been an occasionally difficult but otherwise successful year for FDS. We have successfully expanded our suite of support activities for families, and we are now a truly national service offering a comprehensive range of support and assistance to complement our original strength, the Family Drug Support telephone service. Our thanks go to the many jurisdictions, philanthropic bodies and individual donors that support and help fund our activities, which like all other services, have at times been tested in this post-Covid recovery era. Nonetheless, we end the year with a recognised track record of accountability and transparency and our relations with relevant decision makers, particularly in the Federal sphere, continue to grow. Like every facet of human life government policies follow fashion trends. Sometimes important issues are widely misunderstood and become political or bureaucratic fads or taboos. We know all too well that drug and alcohol policy is particularly prone to fad and taboo. The obvious example, the world is still recovering and trying to reform the mistaken and cliched “War on Drugs” policies of decades ago. Despite the frustrations and difficulties, the diligence, persistent advocacy, and inspirational leadership of Tony Trimingham and the FDS team he has assembled, as well as a change in the Australian political landscape, makes the extension and implementation of some harm minimisation initiatives more likely to be put in place in the near future. Favourable discussions have been held at the highest levels of government on these issues. There are of course high hopes for the NSW Drug Summit coming soon. This year has also been a year of transition and sometimes disruption to our operations. A celebrated transition has been the changing role of Sandra Trimingham with James Lomas moving into the role of telephone volunteer manager. Sandra’s outstanding work as a co-founder of FDS was recognised with her award of an OAM by the Governor General. Another important change has been the welcoming of Cigdem Watson as the new Business Manager. Her arrival corresponded with the expansion of FDS services, a fitting trial which she passed with flying colours, as she settles into the role and develops good relations with staff, volunteers, funding bodies and the Board of Directors. Like all organisations, particularly in the alcohol and other drug sector, there have been some personnel changes at FDS. However, the induction and ongoing training provided to new staff ensures their smooth progress to becoming an integral part of the FDS team. The Board remains confident that FDS and senior FDS management continue to conduct their work according to the highest ethical standards, the relevant laws off employment and in the best interests of the organisation and its objectives. Above all FDS can be confident that what we do, we do well, and we should not let setbacks throw us off course. It is a truism, but our best strategy remains “stick to our knitting”. We continue to encourage staff and supports to promote the value of FDS, and families and friends of people affected by substance use given our ability to support and assist people in these extremely difficult times. Mention should be made of the counsel provide by Gino Vumbaca. A great friend of FDS who has been working with the Board, Tony and Cigdem on a range of issues to improve FDS overall performance. Finally, I need to thank my fellow Board members, all of whom continue to help guide this wonderful organisation and do so in a completely voluntary capacity. Their commitment and contributions to the ongoing success of FDS cannot be underestimated.