Organisations in Cairns, Cooktown and Lockhart River have taken up the challenge of preventing drug and alcohol related harm by forming an officially recognised Local Drug Action Team.
The Cairns, Cooktown and Lockhart River Local Drug Action Teams are three of more than 40 new partnerships across Australia which have been accepted into the Australian Government’s LDAT program.
The three Local Drug Action Teams are: Centrecare FNQ in Cairns, Gungarde Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation in Cooktown and the Strong Sisters Program in Lockhart River.
They bring the total number of LDAT’s nationally to 280.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch welcomed the formation of the Local Drug Action Teams in Cairns, Cooktown and Lockhart River.
He said the Cairns, Cooktown and Lockhart River Local Drug Action Teams will now be able to apply for additional funding to support the delivery of its action plan in the community.
“I am delighted that Cairns, Cooktown and Lockhart River now has a partnership to deliver locally-based solutions to prevent drug and alcohol misuse and harms in our communities,” Mr Entsch said.
“These three new teams will complement the three Local Drug Action Teams currently operating in locations in Cairns and Far North Queensland.
“The LDAT program recognises that every community is different and solutions to these problems, which can be very complex, have to come from the community.
“I look forward to seeing the Community Action Plan developed and implemented, and the positive impact on the Cairns, Cooktown and Lockhart River communities.”
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the Cairns, Cooktown and Lockhart River Local Drug Action Teams would receive $10,000 from the Morrison Government to help it get established and develop a community action plan tailored to local needs.
“Local Drug Action Teams bring together organisations across the community, including service providers, schools, police, young people, Indigenous and primary health services and other non-government organisations,” Mr Hunt said.
“Cairns, Cooktown and Lockhart River LDAT will be assisted by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, which manages the national LDAT program for the Government.
“Warren has worked hard with his community to combat alcohol and drug misuse and these three new Local Drug Action Teams provide another tool for the local community to use to combat this issue.”
The LDAT program is part of the Morrison Government’s $450 million National Ice Action Strategy to combat drug and alcohol misuse across Australia.
LDATs deliver evidence-based information, prevention, and harm reduction activities, to connect, engage and empower people, especially young people, to help steer them away from misusing alcohol and other drugs.
Free and confidential advice about treatment services can be obtained from the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
