EDAS provides free and confidential drug and alcohol counselling, support, education and training to residents and workers in the Eastern Metropolitan Region.

EDAS is a consortium operated by Eastern Access Community Health, the Inner East Community Health Service and MonashLink Community Health Service.

Where are we?

We operate from 19 sites across the Eastern Metropolitan area of Melbourne, covering the municipalities of:

  • Boroondara
  • Maroondah
  • Manningham
  • Knox
  • Monash
  • Whitehorse
  • Yarra Ranges

What is our philosophy?

EDAS has a policy of harm minimisation. This means that we assist people to find a range of strategies that reduce the potential harms from alcohol and other drug use. While ceasing use is always considered, we also recognise that harm may be reduced through other strategies when stopping altogether is not a realistic or achievable option.

Harm can come from different aspects of drug use, including:

  • The type of drug and the amount being used
  • The way the drug is used (e.g. how the drug is introduced to the body)
  • Where the drug is used
  • Behaviour while under the influence of the drug
  • How the person gets hold of the drug
  • Withdrawal symptoms.

How can you contact us?

EDAS has a duty worker, available 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. The duty worker is a specialist drug and alcohol clinician, and can be contacted regarding all general enquiries about our service, including requests for counselling, and requests from other professionals for secondary consultation and training.

The duty worker can link you with an EDAS counsellor who works in your area. If EDAS is not the most appropriate service for you, we will endeavour to identify a service that would better meet your needs within the region. The duty worker can be contacted on:

1300 650 705