FDS 2023 Annual Report

5 CEO Report Tony Trimingham OAM As another year passes, I would like to ask everyone reading this report to take some time to think about the ever-growing number of fatalities related to substance use that continues to haunt and hurt so many families. It is a tragic toll whose impact is even more difficult given that many lives could have been saved if harm reduction, support and treatment services were more available in the community. My personal story and the ultimately preventable death of my son Damien, which many of you already know, is what drove the founding of Family Drug Support. It continues to drive me, and the reform of our current harmful and outdated policies will remain a strong point of advocacy for FDS given its traumatic impact on so many people. Despite this tragic beginning for FDS many years ago, this year has been one of significant change and expansion for us, particularly with the introduction of Clinical Services Managers for each jurisdiction. Their role is to take responsibility and increase the levels of services provided by FDS in their respective jurisdictions. This provides FDS with a much closer relationship to funding bodies, other services, and volunteers as well as mentoring and supporting staff in their roles at FDS. My thanks go to Chloe, Sally, Anna and Cigdem for taking on these important roles and ensuring impacted families all around Australia can access the help and support they need. Their roles are supported in each jurisdiction by Family Support Workers, we appreciate, recognise their work and contributions they make to FDS. This year also saw our programs continue to receive the highest praise possible from the families that attend. Some of the responses to the programs we provide are amazingly positive and provides all of the FDS team with real inspiration to further expand our reach so that all families needing our support can be helped. Our programs include, Stepping Stones, Stepping Forward and Volunteer and Facilitator training as well as or Support the Family and Improve the Outcome program – all of which receive very positive feedback from attendees. However, it is important to always remember that FDS can only provide the breath of services it does because of the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, who help on the Telephone Support Line and Support Groups all around the country. FDS could not function as well as it does without the roles played by our Head Office staff and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cigdem, Sandra, James, Gayle, Ellen, Nerida, Jenni, Paul. Next year will bring more challenges and opportunities, especially given the movement we are seeing in the drug policy field with pill testing, decriminalisation legislation now being implemented of actively considered across the country. I also want to acknowledge the incredible level of support FDS receives from our colleagues in other services that make up the AOD and related sectors. Collaboration is critical not only at organisational level but a person-to-person level, otherwise it will be the people and families we serve that suffer. While this year, like all years has its ups and downs, FDS continues to grow and continues to ensure it provides the best services possible for families. This will never change as it is the reason FDS began and why it continues to grow. Finally, I want to thank the Chair and Board for their continued service and support of FDS, and especially my wife Sandra, as without her, FDS and I could not have achieved what we have and will continue to do.