No drug use is safe use’ provides a practice approach for practitioners. This includes those providing direct care and those in the broader care team including Child Protection.
The guide provides clarity, consistency and direction on how the service system supports young people living in residential care through understanding, recognising and continuing to implement zero tolerance for responding to alcohol and other drug (AOD) use.
Built on one foundational concept: ‘no drug use is safe use’, this guide aligns with current national and state alcohol and other drug strategies and policies. It is underpinned by the fact that drug use in Australia is illegal for young people aged under 18 (unless prescribed by a medical practitioner).
Document ID 3182, Version 1, 14 April 2026