An alcohol harm reduction body has accused the federal government of an ''appalling level of transparency'' after it refused to release documents explaining why it axed the nation's drug and alcohol body after almost 50 years of operation.

The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education had its freedom of information request denied on the grounds it was ''not in the public interest''.

Fiona Nash: Refused to meet the leaders of drug and alcohol bodies. Credit:Peter Rae

Drug bodies are desperate to understand why the sudden funding cut occurred, and fear more is to come.

After making the cut the government has now decided to review funding for every advocacy and research body it funds.