Local organisations are urged to apply for funding to put more Local Drug Action Teams on the ground to tackle ice and other drug issues in our communities.
Round four of the LDAT program has now opened and interested community organisations have until December 7 to get their funding applications in.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said today through local partnerships, LDATs provide evidence-based prevention activities to minimise alcohol and other drug related harms in their communities.
“The federal government is committed to keeping Far North Queensland families and communities safe and through the proactive work of local LDATs, we are taking a preventative approach to tackling drug issues,” Mr Entsch said.
“So far we have seen 172 LDATs funded across Australia, including several in Far North Queensland, and these teams directly tackle the devastating impact alcohol and drugs – including ice – have on their communities.
“We have had some excellent examples of the work these groups are doing to prevent drug use and improve health outcomes for young people.”
Mr Entsch said drugs such as ice do not discriminate.
“This insidious drug is killing our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers,” he said.
“The scourge of ice is tearing apart families, relationships and communities.
“Sadly, ice use has tripled over the past three years and the number of ice-related deaths has doubled over the past six years.
“Ice use across Queensland, particularly in regional and remote communities, has skyrocketed in recent years – it has fast become the number one illicit drug in the state.”
Federal Regional Services Minister Bridget McKenzie said the teams were supported by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, which helped the LDATs develop and implement primary prevention activities in the community.
“This is all about community partnerships working together on a plan of action to prevent and minimise stamp out the misuse of drugs and alcohol in their town – developing local solutions for local problems,” Ms McKenzie said.
”If you want to make a difference in your community, like many LDATs already have, I encourage you to build local partnership and apply for the program.”
More information about LDATs and the application process can be found on the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s website at https://community.adf.org.au/implement
