A message from the Convenors

We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of what we now call Sydney. The territory of the Gadi (gal) people ran from the southern side of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) from South Head to Petersham. Their southern boundary is the area that now forms the Alexandra canal and Cooks River. Sydney is Australia’s largest and most populous city, frequently ranked in the top 10 most liveable cities worldwide. Sydney is also the site of the First Fleet landing, and has a long history of Aboriginal colonisation and dispossession. While Sydney is well known for its beautiful beaches, royal national park, cool festivals and events, iconic architecture, highly multicultural population with >40% of Sydney’s population born overseas, the costs of living in Sydney are high. The skyrocketing rental and property markets are contributing to a widespread housing crisis and general financial stress.  

Our hope for the Sydney 2025 conference is to disrupt the status quo and deconstruct long-held assumptions that have shaped drug policy, research, and practice. We are aiming to elevate First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing and challenge delegates to reflect critically on the way we do AOD prevention, treatment, research and policy. The establishment of a First Nations leadership group and identified First nations Co-Convener this year will lead program development and inform cultural spaces to encourage attendance, presentation and participation in keeping with the theme.    

We invite researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and activists to submit abstracts that challenge thinking, elevate voices of people not always heard. In particular, APSAD 2025 invites First Nations community leaders, healthcare providers, researchers and policymakers to critically explore how colonial legacies have influenced the understanding of substance use, health disparities, and treatment systems. We encourage submissions that explore these critical issues and propose solutions grounded in justice, equity, and cultural respect. 

We recognise the deep wisdom and expertise held within Indigenous and multicultural communities and would love to create space for you to share your insights, stories, and practices in a way that feels meaningful to you. We welcome contributions in various forms, including traditional presentations, storytelling, case studies, and interactive discussions. 

- APSAD 2025 Convenors; Kurt Simpson, Christina Marel, Robert Stirling and Suzie Hudson