ABC GOULBURN MURRAY REPORTS NOFFS SAYS THOUSANDS OF REGIONAL AUSTRALIANS ARE MISSING OUT ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL SUPPORT
August 2026
Noffs Foundation Chief Operating Officer Mark Ferry says Australians in regional and rural communities face ongoing barriers to accessing drug and alcohol support, with service continuity and workforce shortages among the key challenges.
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Mark Ferry, Ted Noffs Foundation Chief Operating Officer, tells ABC Goulburn Murray’s Sandra Moon that tens of thousands of Australians are unable to access support for chronic drug and alcohol issues.
Ted Noffs Foundation (Noffs) Chief Operating Officer Mark Ferry spoke with ABC Goulburn Murray and ABC Shepparton about the challenges regional Australians face when seeking treatment for drug and alcohol issues.
He outlines why geographic access to services is often the deciding factor in whether someone reaches out for help. For many, treatment means travelling long distances away from family and community, a barrier that can be enough to stop people getting support altogether.
Listen to the full segment here: