Research areas

Impact and reach from the world stage to homes and communities.

We deliver evidence-based outcomes and play a critical role in Australia’s response to understanding the harms of the use of alcohol and other drugs in our communities. While our research metrics place NDARC among the top five research centres globally, we pride ourselves on our research translating into local and global action. Our understanding and impact are guided by the breadth and strength of our nine research activities. Each of these research activities responds directly to the needs of federal and state governments, policy agencies, community groups, service providers, health professionals and clinicians in the AOD sector and related fields.

Clinical research

NDARC enables optimal clinical practice and improves outcomes through rigorous clinical research.

Drug trends

The Drug Trends program identifies emerging problems in substance use in Australia and provides impetus for policy responses.

Emergent needs

NDARC works closely with state and federal government partners to respond to emergent needs and essential research areas.

Epidemiology of drug and alcohol use and harms

NDARC’s epidemiology research investigates substance use and harms in Australia and globally.

Families and communities

NDARC's families and communities research program broadens research and engagement scope to address the burden of substance use problems.

Health economics and biostatistics

NDARC's health economics and biostatistics program conducts policy research to improve decisions and resource allocation for the sector.

Priority Populations

NDARC’s research extends across diverse and priority populations to better understand alcohol and other drug use and harms among these groups, as well as identifying potential health responses.

Criminal Justice System

Our research program focuses on the health of individuals who have contact with the forensic system. We explore opportunities for therapeutic outcomes in criminal justice settings and develop strategies to reduce drug-related harms.

Mental and physical comorbidities

NDARC’s mental and physical comorbidities research advances screening, detection and intervention strategies.

National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED)

NCCRED brings together clinicians and researchers to detect and respond to trends in emerging drug health, including methamphetamine.

Prevention and early intervention

NDARC's prevention and early intervention research identifies, develops, and evaluates effective strategies and interventions to prevent alcohol and other drug-related harms.