June 5, 2017
South Burnett organisations are being encouraged to join the fight against drugs by forming Local Drug Action Teams.
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said the second round of applications for the Local Drug Action Team program is now open.
This four year, $298 million Federal Government program allows community groups to deliver targeted local action to help reduce the harm caused by ice, drugs and alcohol.
“Ice and other drugs can destroy lives, and we need to work together to protect individuals, families and our community from their effects,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Local Drug Action Teams is a community-driven program that supports organisations to develop and deliver local solutions to tackle drug and alcohol issues.”
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation will support the program through evidence-based community level planning and action.
Each successful Local Drug Action Team will receive minimum initial funding of $10,000 to support their local plan for on the ground prevention activities.
Mr O’Brien said community teams could apply for up to $40,000 per annum to support drug abuse prevention activities developed in response to issues in their local areas.
“I’m calling on all concerned South Burnett community groups to join together and take advantage of this program in the fight against illegal drug abuse,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Representatives are needed from a wide section of the community, such as schools, youth groups, local councils, police, 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 use of ice 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 close on July 14.
Details about the program, community support material and application documentation is available on the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website
Footnote: Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud will be holding a public meeting at Kingaroy Town Hall at 7:30am on Tuesday, June 6 to discuss ice (ie methamphetamine) and possible community solutions to the problem.
