Alcohol other drugs and older adults toolkit
The Alcohol, other drugs and older adults toolkit guides Local Drug Action Teams working to prevent alcohol and other drug harm in later life.
Preventing alcohol and other drug harm in older adults
Local Drug Action Teams help older adults stay informed, connected and well.
Why focus on older adults?
Good information about alcohol and other drugs doesn’t always reach older adults. Research shows that some older adults aren’t aware of the risks of drinking alcohol, or of how alcohol or other drugs can interact with prescription medications. Clear information helps people make informed choices about their health as they age.
The toolkit focuses mainly on people of retirement age, but it can be used with adults from age 50.
How Local Drug Action Teams use it
Local Drug Action Teams use this toolkit to run awareness raising activities and education programs that:
- explain the health risks of alcohol and other drug use as people age
- link older adults to programs that support their mental health and wellbeing.
For activities focused on medicines, see the Pharmaceutical drugs and your community toolkit.
Where it fits in the LDAT program
Local Drug Action Teams use this toolkit as part of a Community Action Plan (CAP). It works well alongside community approaches and consulting your community.
How Local Drug Action Teams work with older adults
- Camp day out with Club 60 in Wyndham: around 25 members of the Club 60 seniors club in Wyndham, Melbourne, helped plan a camp day of archery and a giant swing to stay active and connected.
- Adelaide’s Radio Italiana 531: this LDAT set out to educate older Italians about the risks of prescription medications, then widened its work to include young people and families.
What’s in the full toolkit
The full toolkit gives Local Drug Action Teams practical guidance, including:
- key points for Local Drug Action Teams
- drawing on existing programs
- guiding principles
- considerations for planning and delivery
- key activity and measuring success
- key steps.
If you’re part of a Local Drug Action Team, you can use the full toolkit on the LDAT platform.
Partner with a Local Drug Action Team
Local Drug Action Teams work with local organisations, such as schools, councils, sporting clubs and health services, to prevent alcohol and other drug harm in their communities. See where LDATs are on our map, and if your organisation would like to partner with one, contact us.
Last reviewed: 4 November 2026