LOCAL DRUG ACTION TEAMS TO HELP FIGHT ICE, DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION

 The second round of applications is now open for local organisations to join the Turnbull Government’s Local Drug Action Team program.

Community groups across Australia are joining forces to deliver targeted local action to help tackle drug use and addiction.

“We need to work together to fight the scourge of ice and other drugs which cause so much harm to individuals, families and our communities,” Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said.

Mr Vasta said the four-year $298 million program would help address local drug addiction issues, including those raised at the Bonner Ice Forum and roundtable he previously hosted with local law enforcement, medical experts, community leaders, and individuals affected by ice.

“Local Drug Action Teams is a community driven program that supports local organisations to work together to develop and deliver local solutions to reduce the harm of ice, drugs and alcohol,” Mr Vasta said.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation will support the program to develop and deliver evidence-based community level planning and action.

Each successful Local Drug Action Team will receive minimum initial funding of $10,000 to support the further development of their local plan for on-the-ground prevention activities. 

Community teams can apply for funding of up to $40,000 per annum to support the prevention activities and priorities they have identified in response to local issues.

“I’m calling on concerned community groups in Bonner to join together and take advantage of this program,” Mr Vasta said.

“Membership of each team might include representatives from local councils, schools, police, youth services, primary health services and treatment services, community groups, non-government organisations and interested community members.”

Examples of the sorts of activities Local Drug Action Teams might undertake could include:

·         Fighting the scourge of ice in communities by promoting and disseminating evidence-based information and encouraging people to access available support;

·         Working with vulnerable people to improve engagement with education/employment services;

·         Providing support and information for parents and carers to talk to each other and their children about alcohol and other drug issues;

·         Developing local solutions for reducing alcohol-related violence and other drug harms in community spaces.

Applications are now open until 14 July 2017.

Details about the program, community support material and application documentation is available on the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website at www.adf.org.au