Drug and Alcohol Services Planning Model (DASPM)
Published on the 15 May 2024
If you are interested in developing the DASPM for your jurisdiction, or have any queries about the planning tool:
An essential part of a good treatment policy is planning for the number and type of alcohol and other drug treatment services required to meet population need. The Drug and Alcohol Service Planning Model (DASPM) is informed by the best available epidemiological data and expert advice to estimate how many people are in need of and would be likely to seek treatment, and the resources associated with providing this treatment.
The Drug and Alcohol Service Planning Model (DASPM), previously known as DA-CCP, was originally developed by the NSW Ministry of Health (Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Office) under a cost-shared funded project with the then Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs (IGCD) between 2010 and 2013. The project aimed to facilitate planning for alcohol and other drug services in Australia and provide a basis for national consistency in planning across all Australian health jurisdictions.
Since that time, many jurisdictions and peak bodies have worked with the Drug Policy Modelling Program (DPMP) to update and adapt the DASPM, including Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania. The aim is to provide more contemporary planning figures and contribute to a better distribution of treatment resources and improved access for those seeking alcohol or other drugs treatment.
Research Centre
Social Policy Research Centre
Research Area
Drug Policy Modelling Program
- Years
- Publications
- Funding agency
Ongoing
- Ritter, A., & O'Reilly, K. (2025). Unmet treatment need: The size of the gap for alcohol and other drugs in Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.14008
- Ritter, A., Mellor, R., Chalmers, J., Sunderland, M., & Lancaster, K. (2019). Key considerations in planning for substance use treatment: Estimating treatment need and demand. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Supplement. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsads.2019.s18.22
- Ritter, A., Chalmers, J., & Gomez, M. (2019). Measuring unmet demand for alcohol and other drug treatment: The application of an Australian population-based planning model. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsads.2019.s18.42
- Mellor, R. & Ritter, A. (2019). Modelling bed numbers for NSW using the Drug and Alcohol Service Planning Model (DASPM). NADA Submission Attachment.
- Gomez, M., Ritter, A., Gray, D., Gilchrist, D., Harrison, K., Freeburn, B. & Wilson, S. (2014). Adapting the Drug and Alcohol Service Planning Model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receiving alcohol, tobacco and other drug services: Components of care and a resource estimation tool. NDARC publication.
The original DA-CCP was developed by the NSW Ministry of Health under a cost-shared funded project with the then Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs (IGCD). Developments of the DASPM have been commissioned by Queensland Health, Victorian Department of Health, and Tasmanian Department of Health.
