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Community facilities Health | March 14, 2019

Kealy welcomes new local drug action team funding

The Nationals Member for Lowan and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Emma Kealy has welcomed the Federal Coalition Government’s announcement that it will fund an additional 72 Local Drug Action Teams (LDAT) across the nation to tackle harm caused by drugs and alcohol misuse on individuals and families.

The funding is being made available through the fourth round of the Federal Government’s successful Local Drug Action Program.

Fifteen of the new LDATs will be based in Victoria, with the Wimmera Drug Action Taskforce and the Healthy Glenelg LDAT to receive funding support under the program.

Each new LDAT will receive an initial $10,000 to help them develop a local community action plan. Each team will have an opportunity to apply for additional funding to support the delivery of local activities once their plans are finalised.

“This funding will support these organisations and their partners to identify and deliver evidence-based prevention, promotion and harm-reduction activities that will work for our local communities to prevent substance misuse,” Ms Kealy said.

“They will partner and work together with others across our communities including service providers, schools, police, young people, Indigenous and primary health services and other non-government organisations to drive change at a local level.

“The LDAT Program recognises no community is the same and that locally-led responses are vital when it comes to preventing and minimising harms caused by alcohol and other drugs.

“Many of us personally know families in our community who are dealing with the fallout of these insidious drugs.

“This funding is fabulous news as it enables the community to band together to fight the problem.”

The Liberal Nationals Government is investing $298 million over four years under the National Ice Action Strategy to combat drug and alcohol misuse across Australia. The Local Drug Action Program is a key component of The Nationals Ice Action Strategy.

Ms Kealy encourages local residents seeking advice on substance abuse to call the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services.