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.
A healthy and safe community in Central Australia without the harmful effects of substance misuse.
DASA is prepared and is responsive to the changing needs of the community.
DASA walks beside people in our community to help free them from the effects of alcohol and other drug addictions by:
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 following principles guide the work that we do:
Client access and equity is a focus for DASA. It is acknowledged that DASA supports anyone working, unemployed, Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal regardless of (dis)ability, culture and sexual orientation. DASA is aware of and responds to the changing cultural diversity in Alice Springs and its surrounds.
DASA recognises the individual’s right to self-determination and decision-making. DASA also recognises the responsibility of society to provide an environment where personal development towards a better lifestyle is supported and valued.
DASA service delivery is based on the Therapeutic Community Model. This model places the client at the centre of their decision making.
DASA follows the harm minimisation model whereby people set their own healing goals. Clients are supported to develop a management plan that includes a range of meaningful goals which moves from managed and safe use through to abstinence.
DASA recognises the importance of an integrated service and highly values the contribution and partnerships it has with other service delivery organisations.
DASA is responsive to the changing environment and community needs. Service delivery is based on our own evidence as well as that of relevant organisations. DASA implements evidenced based best practice which is developed with local communities. Current areas of demand include: women with children; emerging drug trends, outreach and increased need for services as they arise.
DASA focuses on quality continuous improvement by maintaining accreditations against National Standards. We improve our programs with client feedback and relevant data, and invest in the professional development of staff.
DASA invests in training and development of its Board, staff and volunteers.
Three overarching key result areas were identified as a focus for the 2020-2024 strategic plan. These are:
Consolidate and continue to deliver best practice client centred services.
Growing the service to respond to identified and emerging needs.
Building a strong organisation that is sustainable and effective into the future.
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
DASA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, the Arrernte people of Central Australia.
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Artwork by © Amunda Gorey