Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia

Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA) is a statewide health service that offers a range of prevention, treatment and information services for people with alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues.

DASSA's role

DASSA is a division of the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) and reports to the Chief Executive Officer of SALHN.

SALHN oversees the governance of DASSA's corporate functions and clinical service delivery.
DASSA roles are to:

  • advise on a whole-of-government approach to prevent the use of illicit drugs and the misuse of licit drugs
  • advise on policy relating to tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, and provides expert advice and support to SA's role in national policy development
  • provide or broker a range of prevention, intervention and treatment programs across the State with a particular focus on vulnerable, marginalised and high risk groups and behaviours
  • advise on evidence-based practice, and
  • participate in research.
  • works closely in partnership with Preventive Health SA.

Priorities and strategies

DASSA have led the development of the South Australian Alcohol and Other Drugs Sector Workforce Development Framework 2025-2032 (PDF 484KB).

DASSA's priorities and strategies are informed by the:

Harm minimisation

DASSA's work is based on the principle of harm minimisation. Harm minimisation has been the nationally agreed approach to alcohol and other drug problems since 1985. It involves a coordinated, whole of government approach to addressing the 'three pillars' of demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction.

  • Demand reduction strategies designed to prevent the uptake of harmful drug use and to reduce drug use
  • Harm reduction strategies designed to reduce the harms associated with drug use for individuals and communities
  • Supply reduction strategies designed to disrupt the production and supply of illicit drugs.