Local Drug Action Team applications now open

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,” said Alex Hawke MP.

The program is an initiative under the Turnbull Government’s four year, $298 million investment to reduce the harms of ice, drugs and alcohol.

Local Drug Action Teams is a community driven program, that supports local organisations to work together to develop and deliver local solutions to tackle drug and alcohol issues.. 

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

Federal Member for Mitchell, the Hon Alex Hawke MP said 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 Mitchell to join together and take advantage of this program.

“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,” said Alex Hawke.

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 and close on 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