Sir David Martin Foundation's commissioned report says there is an unmet need for treatment services for young people battling drug and alcohol addiction

That is the focus of a recent report commissioned by the Sir David Martin Foundation.

The Foundation has helped young people in crisis for 30 years, and is the primary funder of Mission Australia's Triple Care Farm in the Highlands.

The recently released report said there was high demand and widespread unmet need for treatment services and support for young Australians with drug and alcohol addiction.

'Evolve 2020: Are we doing enough for young people with drug and alcohol addiction? made seven key recommendations calling for a nationwide expansion of youth-specific services to prevent vulnerable young people being caught in a debilitating and lifelong cycle of addiction.

The report said almost 40 per cent (76,000) of all those requesting help for drug and alcohol addiction in Australia each year were under the age of 30.

It said however, a lack of youth specific treatment options left many of these young people in adult programs not tailored to their needs.

Sir David Martin Foundation general manager Helen Connealy said given the opportunity, young people had the highest recovery rate of any age group.

"Their needs are different and varied than other stages of life. Many have suffered trauma, mental illness or suffered domestic violence. Family are so important in their recovery but not always available. Often these young people haven't had the space to grow up and mature in the traditional sense."

Triple Care Farm is a best practice, holistic treatment centre for young people affected by drug and alcohol issues.

Over the past 30 years, more than 3000 young people's lives have been saved, with 200 students each year now supported through the program's rehabilitation, withdrawal and aftercare components.

"We've been funding a best practice model of treatment for young people for decades and we know our programs work. But we wanted to gain evidence of the scale of the problem across the country," Ms Connealy said.

"This report shows that although there is good work happening, collaboratively the sector needs to do more if we are to reach more young people."

A lack of adequate rural and regional treatment options was a key finding of the research.

"The report found that young people living in rural and regional areas in all Australian states and territories are more likely to experience disadvantage, engage in harmful substance use and have poorer access to essential programs. Yet almost 60 per cent of treatment agencies are located in major cities and only six per cent in remote or very remote areas."

In response to the report's recommendations, Ms Connealy said Sir David Martin Foundation would launch a new campaign - Youth Network 2025 - to expand aftercare services across the nation to reach those in need.

"By 2025 we aim to have youth workers across the nation expanding our aftercare program to help thousands of young people connect with safe housing options, education, employment and the community.

"The Aftercare program runs for six months after withdrawal and offers each young person access to a qualified youth worker to support their transition back into the community. Aftercare is shown to be fundamental to a young person's ongoing health and wellness and helps set them up for a brighter future."

The report was commissioned pre-Covid-19, which Ms Connealy said had intensified the need for swift and immediate action.

"Evolve 2020 tells us there is already a critical unmet need and a shortage of appropriate services nationwide for those needing help to recover from drug and alcohol addiction. With increased youth unemployment rates and the unprecedented financial, emotional and health challenges brought on by the pandemic, we anticipate that the need will intensify rapidly."

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