Drug ARM

What Drug ARM does

Drug ARM is a charitable not-for-profit organisation headquartered in Annerley, Brisbane, that delivers alcohol and other drug (AOD) awareness, rehabilitation, and management services across Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia. It operates from 19 service hubs supplemented by mobile street outreach vans, telehealth delivery, a specialist public library of 5,000+ resources, and three retail Op Shops in Capalaba, Kelvin Grove, and Toowoomba. Its service portfolio includes AOD counselling, a Day Rehabilitation Program, support groups, diversion services, family and youth support, the Creative Options Program, and the SMART Recovery program. The organisation was established in 1988 by the Drug Awareness and Relief Foundation (Australia) (DARFA) and traces its institutional heritage to the 1849 Moreton Bay Temperance Society, making it the oldest AOD organisation in Queensland.

The core service model is human-delivered clinical and community work, not technology. The organisation's underlying platform is a network of paid staff (135 employees), 100+ trained volunteers, and a partner ecosystem spanning local housing providers, youth organisations, aged-care providers, and sector peak bodies. Proprietary components include an Impact Measurement Framework tracking outcomes such as 80% client-reported substance-use reduction and 96% treatment satisfaction, and a Street Outreach Service model that combines mobile van delivery with referral pathways. No AI, software platform, or proprietary technology stack is disclosed; the differentiators are service methodology, volunteer infrastructure, and community trust accumulated over 175 years.

The business model is not commercial. Services are provided free to clients and funded through a mix of government grants, philanthropic donations, workplace giving, bequests, and retail revenue from three Op Shops. The organisation is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), holds ISO 9001 certification, and operates under the Privacy Act 1988. It is governed by a board chaired by Ken Walker, led day-to-day by Executive Director Brad Strong (appointed 2023), and is owned and controlled by its parent foundation DARFA. Customer segments are individuals with AOD issues (primary), families, youth, homeless and at-risk individuals, and healthcare/social-service professionals; go-to-market is community-led via self-referral, professional referral, and street outreach.

Name

Drug ARM

Legal name

Drug ARM

Website

https://drugarm.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Drug ARM is an Australian charitable not-for-profit delivering free alcohol and other drug counselling, rehabilitation, street outreach, and family/youth support services through 19 service hubs across Queensland, NSW, and South Australia, funded by government grants, donations, and Op Shop retail.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

Keywords

• Alcohol drug counselling
• Addiction rehabilitation services
• Harm reduction outreach
• Community drug treatment
• Family youth support

Headquarters

HQ city

Annerley (Brisbane)

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropy: Charitable donations from individuals, corporates, and community supporters. Online donation portal available.
2. Government and NGO Funding: Funding from government bodies for delivery of alcohol and other drug support services, reporting to government and funding bodies on service delivery outcomes
3. Op Shop Revenue: Revenue generated from three Op Shops located in Capalaba, Kelvin Grove, and Toowoomba

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Drug ARM delivers free alcohol and other drug (AOD) counselling, day rehabilitation, support groups, diversion services, family and youth programs, and mobile street outreach across 19 service hubs in Queensland, NSW, and South Australia. The organisation supplements clinical services with a public AOD-specialist library, telehealth delivery, and three Op Shops that fundraise through retail sales. All services are provided free of charge to individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use, funded by government grants, donations, and philanthropy.

Product overview

Drug ARM is a charitable not-for-profit organisation providing a comprehensive suite of alcohol and other drug support services across Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia. The organisation operates a multi-service model from 19 service hubs and 2 op shops, offering clinical services (counselling, day rehabilitation, support groups, diversion programs), community outreach (Street Outreach Service, weekly BBQs), family and youth programs, and education resources. Its education division includes a specialist public library with over 5,000 resources, curated fact sheets, professional development materials, and the Matters of Substance publication for schools. The organisation also operates op shop fundraising outlets in three Queensland locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling Specialist one-on-one counselling for individuals affected by alcohol and other drug use, helping clients reduce substance use and address underlying issues. Delivered free of charge through service hubs in QLD, NSW, and SA.
• Street Outreach Service (SOS) Mobile van-based outreach providing hot drinks, snacks, care packs, and essential supplies to people experiencing homelessness, with a focus on building trust and connecting individuals to housing, health, and AOD support services across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Whitsundays, and other regions.
• Day Rehabilitation Program Intensive structured day program providing comprehensive rehabilitation for individuals with alcohol and other drug issues, offering a multi-component approach to recovery.
• Support Groups Group therapy and peer support sessions for individuals and families affected by alcohol and other drug use, providing shared learning and mutual support.
• Diversion Services Programs that divert individuals with drug-related offences away from the criminal justice system and into treatment and support services.
• Family and Youth Services Specialist support services for families and young people affected by alcohol and other drug use, including family counselling, advice for families, the Parent Program, and school-based interventions.
• SMART Recovery Program Self-Management and Recovery Training program providing evidence-based group sessions for people recovering from addiction, focusing on self-empowerment and practical coping strategies.
• Creative Options Program Specialist structured counselling program typically delivered as 12 one-hour sessions, helping individuals address problematic alcohol and drug use and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
• Public Library and Information Centre Public lending library with a specialist focus on alcohol and other drugs and mental health, offering online catalogue access, membership, borrowing services, librarian assistance, and computer facilities, with over 5,000 resources serving clients, families, professionals, and community members.
• Op Shops Three retail op shops located in Capalaba, Kelvin Grove, and Toowoomba that generate fundraising revenue for Drug ARM's charitable programs and offer community volunteer opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of clients report reduced substance use following treatment
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alcohol Change AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrug ARM is represented by its leadership team in Alcohol Change Australia, a coalition working to reduce alcohol-related harm through policy advocacy and public health initiatives.
• Queensland Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (QNADA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrug ARM is represented in QNADA, the peak body for alcohol and other drug agencies in Queensland, contributing to sector advocacy and development.
• Airlie Beach CrewminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Whitsunday region collaborating with Drug ARM's Street Outreach Service.
• Whitsunday HousingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal housing organization collaborating with Drug ARM outreach in Whitsunday region.
• YWAM WhitsundaysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth and community organization partnering with Drug ARM Street Outreach Service.
• Feros CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAged and community care provider collaborating with Drug ARM in Whitsunday outreach services.
• CHANCES houseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal support service partner in Mackay/Whitsunday region working with Drug ARM outreach.
• Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak body for mental health organisations in Queensland, Drug ARM holds membership.
• Community Council for Australia (CCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy organisation, Drug ARM holds membership for community sector advocacy.
• Community Services Industry AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry alliance for community services sector, Drug ARM participates as member.
• Queensland Coalition for Action on AlcoholminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working on alcohol policy and action in Queensland, Drug ARM holds membership.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Buttery: Non-profit AOD rehabilitation service operating residential and community programs in NSW and QLD; comparable therapeutic community model and donor-funded operating structure.
• Odyssey House Australia: Non-profit AOD rehabilitation provider with residential and community programs across NSW, VIC and WA; overlapping service mix and similar government-grant/donation funding structure.
• Turning Point (Eastern Health): Australia's leading AOD treatment, research and education centre based in Melbourne; operates clinical outpatient counselling, research, and workforce training directly comparable to Drug ARM's counselling and library/training arms.
• Lives Lived Well: Queensland-based non-profit providing AOD and mental health treatment across QLD and NSW; directly competes with Drug ARM in counselling, family support, and outreach in overlapping geographies.
• Ted Noffs Foundation: Non-profit delivering AOD counselling, rehabilitation and youth outreach programs across NSW and ACT; highly comparable mission, similar harm-reduction ethos and outreach-led delivery model.
• SMART Recovery Australia: Non-profit delivering evidence-based group addiction recovery programs across Australia; Drug ARM already runs SMART Recovery groups, so SMART is both a partner/program licensor and a service competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Mission Australia: Large national non-profit providing homelessness, mental health and AOD support; competes for similar government contracts and donor dollars across Drug ARM's operating geographies.
• Salvation Army Australia (Recovery Services): Nationwide faith-based non-profit delivering AOD rehabilitation, homelessness outreach and family services; overlapping service lines and street outreach, but at much larger scale and broader mandate.
• Uniting (Uniting NSW.ACT / Uniting Vic.Tas): Large community-services non-profit delivering AOD counselling, family support and youth programs in NSW, ACT, VIC and TAS; comparable service portfolio but operates at much greater scale.

Emerging players

• Alcoholics Anonymous Australia: Volunteer-led peer support fellowship for alcohol recovery; competes for the same client segment in the same geographies through complementary (not identical) recovery modalities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DrugARM_Library
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/placeholder
• Facebookfacebook.com/drugarm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/drug-arm
• Instagraminstagram.com/drug.arm

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Drug ARM