Factors contributing to the sustainability of alcohol and other drug interventions in Australian community health settings

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doi:10.1071/PY11136

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Factors contributing to the sustainability of alcohol and other drug interventions in Australian community health settings

Sarah MacLean ^A ^B ^D, Lynda Berends ^A ^C and Janette Mugavin ^A

^A Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, 54–62 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Vic. 3065, Australia.
^B Centre for Health and Society, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.
^C Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia.
^D Corresponding author. Email: sarah.maclean@turningpoint.org.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 19(1) 53-58 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/PY11136
Submitted: 3 November 2011 Accepted: 28 December 2011 Published: 30 January 2012





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Abstract

This study identifies factors that support the sustainability of interventions implemented to enhance responses to alcohol and other drug misuse in Australian community health settings. Eight completed projects that had received time-limited funding were sampled to reflect a mix of project types, contexts and success in meeting funding objectives. Projects were investigated using a case study approach involving thematic analysis. Project records were analysed and interviews were conducted with stakeholders to identify intervention elements that continued after funding ceased, and factors that supported this sustainability. Key factors identified were: embedding changes in the operations of the agency; filling a critical gap in the sector; building support from key individuals and agencies; and planning realistically for future ownership. We argue that complexity theory provides a framework to understand both the context-bound nature of intervention sustainability and differences within the literature as to how sustainability is typologised. Each factor associated with intervention sustainability identified in this study reflects an astute understanding of project context and a capacity to adapt. These factors could assist people designing interventions with time-limited funding to maximise ongoing impact of interventions. They should optimally be implemented within an overall approach of flexibility and sensitivity to context.

Additional keywords: complexity theory, prevention, substance misuse, treatment.

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