The ADF was established in 1959 as the Alcoholism Foundation of Victoria. It was a response to the lack of services for alcohol dependent people, and provided counselling and information. In those days, the Foundation called for a ‘coordinated attack by the community, involving education, treatment and research’.

Over the ensuing decades, the nature of drug use changed and the Foundation’s various names reflected these trends. The Victorian Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Dependence eventually led to the current name. Over time, treatment services became more widely available. The ADF moved away from this aspect of service delivery and began to develop a reputation for leadership in primary and secondary prevention—a focus that remains to the present day.

The changes in the work of the ADF over time have been supported by a diversified revenue base. This is supported by State and Commonwealth funding, which is supplemented by revenue from the development and sales of prevention materials, from corporate partnerships, from consultancy work and from fundraising.

 The ADF’s work is inclusive of both legal and illegal drugs, and reflects the national scope of operations. The ADF enters the 2007–09 triennium building on the success of the past three years with a number of major projects being delivered nationally, and a number of new initiatives under development. The external environment has changed significantly, too. Separate national tobacco, alcohol and cannabis strategies have been released. An amphetamines strategy is under development. Polydrug use and comorbidity are significant phenomena. The relationship between drug use and mental health is gaining prominence. Even the trends in drug use have changed, with use of amphetamine-type substances rising significantly and the impact of heroin use decreasing. However, the complexity of the issue of drug use remains.

The ADF aspires to continue to be a national leader in addressing these challenges in an effective and cost-efficient way.