The latest edition of Flipside is out now!
The latest edition of Flipside brings together a powerful collection of stories, creative artworks and reflections to explore the theme, ‘Uncovering Recovery’. Featuring a varied selection of deeply personal work, the 57th edition of APSU’s twice-yearly magazine highlights different experiences of addiction and recovery. Flipside showcases articles, stories and artwork created by APSU members. Through lived and living experience voices, it provides a platform for people to shine a light on […]
SHARC welcomes expanded naloxone access across Victoria
Overdose continues to have a devastating impact on people, families and communities across Victoria. At SHARC, we know this all too well through the experiences shared by the people and families we work alongside every day. We welcome the Victorian Government’s rollout of naloxone dispensing machines across the state. This is a practical harm reduction measure that […]
System transformation essential, says SHARC CEO
The alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector must move beyond symbolic representation to genuine lived experience leadership, SHARC CEO Clare Davies said in a keynote address on Wednesday. “Five to 10 years from now, lived and living experience leadership should look normal. It should be business as usual.” “They should be leading teams, holding budgets and shaping […]
SHARC backs parliamentary support for cannabis cautioning reform in Victoria
Victorians are being criminalised for low-level cannabis possession when cautions are more appropriate, according to the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). The leading Melbourne-based not-for-profit for people impacted by alcohol and other drugs, gambling and related harms, welcomes yesterday’s successful motion in the Victorian Legislative Council supporting the formalisation of cannabis cautioning into law. The motion, introduced by Rachel Payne from Legalise Cannabis Victoria, passed with support from both government and opposition members. SHARC’s CEO, Clare Davies, said such support was a crucial step towards […]
Protecting lived experience leadership through collective advocacy
On Wednesday 15 April 2026, the Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt joined SHARC, Tandem and VMIAC to celebrate the collective advocacy behind the Entities Bill. Together, we worked to ensure lived and living experience leadership is recognised, valued and protected within Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system. We would like to say a huge […]
A statement from SHARC on the Entities Bill
In 2021, the Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system set a clear vision for mental health reform grounded in lived experience, accountability and independent oversight. The changes now proposed by the Labor government risk undoing that progress. SHARC, along more than a dozen organisations including Mind Australia, VMIAC, Tandem, the Health and Community Services Union, […]
Celebrating the first cohort of the Learning Collaborative (TLC) graduates
The Learning Collaborative (TLC) is Australia’s first dedicated program supporting the Lived and Living Experience Workforce (LLEW) in AOD and mental health services. This round, 11 organisations completed the program: Anglicare Victoria Ballarat Community Health Bayside Health Alfred Better Health Network Latrobe Regional Health Mind Odyssey Victoria St Vincents Hospital (Melbourne) The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Wellways Youth […]
A statement from SHARC about the Victorian government’s apology to First Nations people
SHARC stands in support of today’s apology to First Nations people. We recognise the profound harm inflicted on First Nations people by the state and colony – both historic and ongoing – and welcome this step towards justice. This moment is a testament to the strength, resilience, and activism of First Nations people, whose voices […]
A statement from SHARC about the Silver Review
SHARC has serious concerns about the implications of the Silver Review and its associated reforms on the inclusion of lived experience leadership within Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system. Released last Thursday, the Review proposes cuts to Victoria’s public service, including a tranche of money-saving measures related to mental health. The Royal Commission into Victoria’s […]
Strategy charts ambitious path for system reform
SHARC welcomes the launch of the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2025–2035. The strategy, released yesterday by Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt, is designed to reduce the incidence and impact of AOD-related harms in Victoria. It also aims to equip the AOD system to meet the needs of individuals, families, supporters, and diverse communities. The focus […]