As part of the “New Direction for Mental Health” initiative by NSW Health, NADA and the Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) were funded to administer drug and alcohol and mental health research grants through the NGO Comorbidity Research Grants Program. The primary objective of the research grants was to engage non government drug and alcohol organisations and non government mental health organisations in research that will contribute to the effectiveness of drug and alcohol and mental health (comorbidity) service delivery.

Approximately $1.3 million was available for drug and alcohol organisations to conduct drug and alcohol and mental health research for up to 2 years. The funding was to be spread across more than one drug and alcohol service delivery organisation in NSW. Organisations were required to partner with a research body to undertake the research.

The following NGOs were successful in receiving a research grant:

AIDS Council of NSW (ACON) 
Understanding the treatment and support needs of members in the GLBT community living with comorbidity and the capacity of services to respond.

Drug and Alcohol Multicultual Education Centre (DAMEC) 
Treatment pathways for CALD clients with comorbid cannabis use disorders and mental illness.
Click here to find out about DAMEC's research findings.

Kedesh Rehabilitation Services 
The evaluation of an Addictions/Comorbidity Counsellor Training Internship Program.

The Lyndon Community 
Unique approaches for engagement of Aboriginal health workers and primary care providers in the delivery of mental health and drug and alcohol interventions in rural NSW.

Manly Drug Education Counselling Centre (MDECC) 
Keep It Simple (KIS) – The Impact of methamphetamine use on mental health and sexual behaviour.

Oolong Aboriginal Corporation 
Evaluation of a residential program for people with psychiatric and substance use disorders.

Ted Noffs Foundation 
Mental health among young psychostimulant and cannabis users in residential substance use treatment: patterns, treatment needs, and responses to treatment.

Waverly Action for Youth Services (WAYS) 
The value of going beyond recognition in a generalist youth service setting to a formal process of screening for comorbidity concerns.

We Help Ourselves (WHOS) 
The effects of specific mental illness and substance use on early drop-out, retention and successful program completion.

Once the research projects have concluded the findings will be disseminated throughout the sector via various media, including the NADA website.


NADA & the MHCC produced three research primers to increase the capacity of its member agencies to participate in research initiatives. The primers included:

Thinking 'Research' - Key Concepts
Refining the Research Question
Leading your Research Project

Please contact Robert Stirling on 02 8113 1320 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   should you wish to discuss further.