About Us
DASA has been delivering drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs to Alice Springs and Central Australia for over thirty years.
Drug and Alcohol Services Australia (DASA) is a community organisation established to address alcohol and other drug issues in Alice Springs and surrounding areas over thirty years ago. The need for a non-government community organisation in Alice Springs was recognised in 1984 by Northern Territory and Local Government, the NT Department of Health and concerned private citizens.
It was recognised that the need to address alcohol and other drug problems should be met by local non-government organisations as fast as possible. Little service development existed in the Alice Springs region at the time and progressive implementation of a range of services was therefore planned. The newly formed DASA Inc. agreed that an urgent need was the establishment of a Sobering-Up Shelter as an alternative to police protective custody for the large number of apprehensions for public drunkenness.
In consultation with Government and the NT Department of Health, DASA committed itself to the priority of establishing the Shelter as the first stage of ongoing development of a further range of services to address other recognised needs. Since that time DASA has grown into a large organisation offering a variety of services for Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents of Central Australia.
Healthy, safe and supported communities without the harmful effects of substance use.
DASA walks beside people to help them reduce the harmful effects of alcohol and other drug use. We do this by providing care, support, education, and accommodation through a therapeutic community model using a non-judgmental and client-centred approach.
Providing client driven care from crisis to independent living.
Advocating for and on behalf of clients.
Delivering preventative and continuing education.
Supporting people through outreach services.
Teaching clients skills for life and making positive life choices.
Providing supported residential services for clients.
Delivering therapeutic interventions.
Our Principles
The Values and Guiding principles of the work we do:
Integrity
Our actions and decisions are guided by honesty, transparency, and a commitment to ethical practices. We strive to build trust with our clients, partners, and the community through consistent and principled behaviour.
Diversity
We embrace and acknowledge the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of our clients, staff and partners. Our inclusive approach ensures that everyone feels respected and valued, advancing a rich and dynamic environment.
Compassion
We provide empathetic and respectful care, recognising the unique struggles of each individual seeking support. Our dedicated team listens and responds with understanding, offering a safe space for healing recovery and accountability.
Community
We engage with the communities in which we work to build strong and supportive relationships that reflect community needs and create greater connection. We use a ‘community’ approach in all the work we do.
Collaboration
We work closely with community organisations and partners to foster a supportive network of care for our clients. By sharing resources and expertise, we enhance our collective impact and achieve better outcomes.
Innovation
We embrace new approaches and evidence-based practices to enhance the effectiveness of our programs. Continuous improvement and creative solutions are at the heart of our efforts to achieve the best possible results for clients and our organisation.
Three overarching key result areas were identified as a focus for the 2024 - 2029 strategic plan. These are:
Clients, Practice and Quality
- To provide high quality and client centred services that promote self-determination and accountability and support people at all stages of their recovery journey.
- To continue to build staff expertise, knowledge and experience in our practice / the Therapeutic Community Model.
- To continually evaluate our work to ensure it aligns with a best practice approach.
Partnership and Community
- To foster new opportunities for partnership and collaboration that supports, expands and/or improves our work in AOD recovery and the justice system.
- To maintain our strong relationships with government by remaining agile and open to opportunity while delivering on our current services.
- To maintain and grow our strong relationships with existing partners and the communities in which we work to reflect community needs and improve client outcomes.
Organisational Growth and Resilience
- To improve operational efficiencies through the adoption of better systems, processes and work design that mean more people are focussed on our core business.
- To maintain a strong funding base and explore new income generating opportunities that do not compromise our core purpose or quality services.
- To support, train and develop our staff by providing ongoing professional development opportunities, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and recognising their achievements and contributions.
- To tell our story and celebrate our successes through strong communication with stakeholders and the broader community.
Our Process
Our services are Trauma Informed.
Many individuals that access our services have experienced violence, abuse and neglect that may compromise their growth and development.
When planning and implementing our therapeutic interventions we consider the impact of overwhelming stress and trauma on the individual’s development. We maintain an environment with a culture of nonviolence and safety to ensure the individuals we support feel safe and are therefore able to learn new and healthy responses to stressful situations.
Trauma informed workplaces understand and recognise the presence of trauma, acknowledge the role trauma can play in a person’s life, and promote a work environment that supports the individual and collective well-being of all staff and clients.
Our thinking has shifted about individuals from asking ‘What is wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”
How we provide Trauma informed Practice:
- We provide a consistent, predictable environment.
- We build relationships that are based on trust and respect.
- We provide activities that are future oriented and allow individuals to contribute.
- We avoid events and environmental factors that might trigger a stress response.
We want to make sure individuals feel as safe and comfortable as possible so that DASA can be a place of healing.
Head Office Staff
DASA Board Members
