Forums enable communities to have a voice and the confidence to do things for themselves:• to prevent and reduce hardship from alcohol and drugs• to work together to overcome stigma and apathy in realising aspirations• to promote recovery and help develop recovery supportive community structures

Forums identify as a community of interest and purpose – a collective of people with a common interest, who are going through the same process or journey to achieve a similar, often emergent objective.

Forum members come from all walks of life and represent community interest in the broadest sense – people with lived experience, frontline workers, representatives from community groups and organisations. They meet democratically as equals with a receptive attitude of thoughtful speaking and deep listening.