The Inner West Drug and Health Forum
The Inner West Drug and Health Forum (IWDHF) is a local network committed to building the capacity and collaboration of drug and alcohol, community welfare, mental health and primary healthcare services. The Forum seeks to better identify and respond to the health and social needs of the local community in the inner north and west region of Melbourne.
The forum’s aims and objectives are to:

• Enhance and compliment existing Primary Health Services and Needle and Syringe Programs
• Improve access to drug treatment services
• Improve access to mental health services, training and information
• Facilitate greater service collaboration
• Advocate on behalf of the industry and communities serviced

The Forum involves local community agencies including local councils, mental health services, criminal justice services, alcohol and other drug services, education providers, law enforcement, public and private hospitals and will aid services to coordinate more effectively to meet the objectives of the local municipal drug strategy and provide input into the region’s primary care partnerships (PCP).

The IWDHF conducts both Professional Network and Community Network Sessions alternating on the last Wednesday of every month. Professional Network Sessions promote discussion and action on current issues within the drug and health sector, whilst the Community Network Sessions promote community development and deliver health promotion/education opportunities for local communities.

The Forum Steering Committee, an un-incorporated cooperative of local agencies, will meet to ensure that the forums activities enhance and contribute to the achievement of member organisation’s strategic goals and objectives, drive the forum’s strategic direction and advocate on behalf of the organisations and communities involved with the forum.

If you have any topics that you would like discussed at future forums, any requests for forum comment or if you wish to be added to our email distribution list and become a member of the Inner West Drug and Health Forum contact Luke O’Connor at

lukeo@youthprojects.net or phone (03) 9662 4488

The Inner West Drug and Health Forum is facilitated by Youth Projects and funded by the Department of Human Services.