The Evaluation of Achieving balance: The Queensland Alcohol and Other Drugs Plan 2022-2027

Brief

Shifting minds: Queensland Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs and Suicide Prevention Plan 2023-2028 (Shifting minds) is the whole-of-government strategic plan to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Queenslanders. It focuses on preventing and reducing the impact of mental ill-health, problematic alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, and suicide. Shifting minds is supported by three sub-plans: Every Life: The Queensland Suicide Prevention Plan 2019-2029 (Every life) Achieving balance: The Queensland Alcohol and Other Dugs Plan 2022-2027 (Achieving balance) The Queensland Trauma Strategy 2024-2029 (Trauma strategy) Achieving balance was released in October 2022. The plan puts into action Queensland’s commitment to preventing problematic AOD use and reducing AOD related harms to individuals and the community. There are 5 priorities under Achieving balance: Prevention and early intervention Enhancing treatment and supports Expand diversion Reduce stigma and discrimination Reduce harms Implementation of Achieving balance builds on existing Queensland Government policy, program, and funding with many activities ongoing under various government initiatives. Many Queensland Government agencies contribute to and make significant investment in services and programs to prevent and reduce harms related to AOD use. Achieving balance Evaluation Framework The Commission procured a Supplier to develop the Framework which outlines: A program logic, including the expected changes relating to Achieving balance focus areas and strategic priorities. Key evaluation questions that assess impact across the Achieving balance focus areas and strategic priorities. These include governance and coordinative value, overall implementation progress and the impact, reach and quality of Achieving balance actions. • An implementation approach including data collection approaches (case study, surveys, milestone reporting), proposed indicators and potential sources of information. There is scope to adjust aspects of the Framework, for example the Supplier may recommend additional or alternative indicators and existing data sources needed to better answer the key evaluation questions. Funding opportunity Eligible suppliers are invited to apply for a funding arrangement of $350,000 (excluding GST) to deliver an evaluation that meets the key deliverables below. This budget will be inclusive of all costs including non-recurrent administrative costs, travel and personnel. The Commission has allocated additional funding of $159,815 (excluding GST) for payment of lived-living experience participation over the full contract term. The total funding amount will be allocated for a 25-month evaluation from November 2025 to December 2027.