Guiding best practice

Launched in 1993, the Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS) has been a cornerstone of specialist support for health professionals. Operating 24/7 across Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory, DACAS provides secondary telephone consultations to guide safe, evidence-based responses to alcohol and drug concerns in clinical settings.

Beyond its helpline, the DACAS website offers a comprehensive library of fact sheets, clinical resources, and screening tools, creating a trusted repository of knowledge for medical professionals. With around 50,000 unique users each year, DACAS plays a vital role in strengthening workforce confidence and capability, ensuring that health practitioners across multiple jurisdictions can deliver informed, consistent, and high-quality care to people experiencing alcohol and drug-related issues.

Since its inception, Turning Point has played a leading role in setting national best practice standards for the alcohol and other drug sector. Working closely with government and health services, we have developed a suite of evidence-based guidelines to support clinicians and ensure people receive safe, effective, and consistent care.

Our publications include the widely used Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal Guidelines and the Methamphetamine Treatment Guidelines, among others. Each has been periodically updated to reflect the latest evidence generated by our research teams, ensuring they remain relevant to emerging drug trends and treatment challenges.

By providing clear, practical frameworks for health professionals, these guidelines have shaped frontline practice across Australia, improving outcomes for individuals and strengthening the quality of care system-wide.

In 2006, Turning Point, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Health, developed the Minimum Qualification Strategy (MQS) for AOD training. 

This landmark initiative set a benchmark for the sector, ensuring that all alcohol and other drug workers in Victoria receive training that equips them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in their roles. 

By standardising workforce preparation, the MQS has helped lift the quality of care and strengthen professional practice across the Victorian AOD sector.

Directing patients to the most effective treatment is critical for good healthcare. In 2013, Turning Point, in partnership with services across Victoria, developed a specialist alcohol and drug assessment tool to support this process. Designed to be simple yet effective, the tool helps health professionals quickly determine the most appropriate treatment pathway for people experiencing alcohol or drug problems.

To strengthen its use, the tool is supported by a worker’s guide, online training, support materials, and a digital checklist, with tailored versions developed for adults, young people, and those in the criminal justice system.

Its impact was immediate: within just six months of launch, more than 1,300 screenings were completed, improving access to appropriate and timely care.

In 2017, Turning Point partnered with the Department of Health to develop Australia’s first National Quality Framework (NQF) for Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services, setting the bar for safe, consistent, and evidence-based AOD care. This framework, endorsed by the Ministerial Drug and Alcohol Forum in November 2019, establishes clinical governance requirements and accreditation standards to which all treatment providers must now align. The aim is to ensure every individual seeking help receives high-quality, well-governed care underpinned by national standards.

The framework includes a structured three-year transition period (2019–2022) for services to move towards meeting these standards, thereby supporting continuous quality improvement across the AOD treatment sector. Turning Point’s leadership in shaping these standards has ensured they are relevant and robust, aligning treatment services across Australia with best practice and ongoing evidence innovation.

Launched in 2018, Turning Point’s Connect & Learn webinar series brings expert clinicians together to share the latest evidence, insights, and practical strategies in alcohol, drug, and mental health care. Designed to upskill AOD and mental health workers across the sector, the series has become a trusted platform for professional development and knowledge exchange.

All sessions are recorded and made freely available on the Turning Point website, creating an enduring library of expert content. With thousands of views each year, the series continues to build workforce capability and drive best practice.