News

NDRI’s Professor Steve Allsop has been inducted into the National Honour Roll as part of the 2017 Alcohol and Drug Excellence and Innovation Awards. The National Honour Roll recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to addressing alcohol and other drug issues over a substantial period of time. Supported by the Australian Government and the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, the awards acknowledge the work of individuals and organisations within the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector.

Australian Drug Foundation CEO John Rogerson said Professor Allsop has spent more than 40 years at the forefront of research in the AOD sector, earning a reputation for bridging the gap between research and policy. He is internationally respected and has held leadership roles in national policy groups and drug strategies.

“These awards recognise the commitment, hard work and passion of those in the AOD sector,” John Rogerson said. “A lot of work is done by many anonymous people within the AOD sector. It is very important we shine the spotlight on the significant contribution that people like Professor Allsop make.”

Professor Steve Allsop is an internationally renowned researcher in alcohol and other drugs with a history of leadership and sector and policy development that dates back to the 1970s, when he began volunteering in a drug outreach and overdose prevention program.

Steve has worked in AOD since 1980 across a range of high-level roles, including as NDRI Director from 2005-2016, Acting Executive Director of the WA Drug and Alcohol Office, and NCETA Director at Flinders University for five years.

Steve played a significant role in establishing early workforce and organisational development in AOD in Australia and has had a major impact in research translation through both workforce and sector development and facilitating strategic planning and policy implementation by Australian and state/territory governments.

Steve has a strong national and international standing. He is annually invited as an expert adviser to the Australian Government delegation at the UN’s Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna and has held many leadership roles in national policy groups and facilitated state and national drug strategies. He has also fostered the careers of many developing researchers through his mentoring.

Steve considers his support of early career researchers and students, assistance to sporting and other community associations, and his advocacy on behalf of people affected by AOD as his proudest achievements.