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Dozens more ‘action teams’ to tackle drug and alcohol issues


Paul Hayes


28/02/2019 2:34:37 PM

More than 70 local drug action teams will be deployed in an attempt to address the harms caused by drug and alcohol misuse.

Minister for Regional Services Bridget McKenzie believes ‘communities are increasingly becoming empowered to take action at the local level’ to tackle substance misuse. (Image: Mick Tsikas)
Minister for Regional Services Bridget McKenzie believes ‘communities are increasingly becoming empowered to take action at the local level’ to tackle substance misuse. (Image: Mick Tsikas)

Minister for Regional Services Bridget McKenzie has announced an additional 72 local drug action teams (LDATs) to be rolled out across the country.
 
‘LDATs bring together community organisations to tackle substance misuse, which can have devastating impacts on our communities – especially in rural and regional areas,’ Minister McKenzie, speaking at the Wellington LDAT site in Sale, in Victoria’s Gippsland region, said. 

‘And it’s clear that our communities are increasingly becoming empowered to take action at the local level.
 
‘Today’s announcement brings the total number of LDATs to 244 across Australia.’
 
Supported through the $298 million investment under the National Ice Action Strategy, each of the 72 new LDATs will receive an initial $10,000 to help them ‘refine a local community action plan’.
 
‘It’s important that we try to stop people in our community from trying illicit drugs for the first time and reduce binge drinking and alcohol abuse,’ Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said. ‘One way of doing that is to ensure that everyone feels they are part of the community.
 
‘Gippsland is no different to other areas and drugs and alcohol are ruining lives and devastating families. Ice and other drugs do not discriminate.’
 
According to Minister McKenzie, the new LDATs will be supported to identify and deliver evidence-based prevention, promotion and harm-reduction activities.
 
‘The LDAT partnerships include local councils, service providers, schools, police, young people, Indigenous and primary health services, and other non-government organisations,’ she said. ‘And the teams will have support from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation to assist in prevention activities.’
 
More information about LDATs can be found on the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website.



drug and alcohol harm minimisation ice LDATs


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