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Health | November 19, 2018

Liberal Nationals to expand Community Ice Action Grants program

An elected Liberal Nationals Government will put communities back in control, supporting more local groups to develop community solutions to tackle the scourge of Ice.

Daniel Andrews’ and Labor’s cuts to the Community Ice Action Grants program has left fewer communities able to access funding to run local awareness campaigns to break the scourge of Ice.

Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy announced today an elected Liberal Nationals Government will provide $1 million over four years to boost the Community Ice Action Grants program.

It will double the number of community projects that will receive grants of up to $10,000.

Figures from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission show Ice use is rising in Regional Victoria.

Despite this, community groups and organisations that want to make a difference are missing out under Labor’s reduced program.

An elected Liberal Nationals Government will also establish a new ‘step–down’ support program for people who have completed residential rehabilitation to re-establish their lives and transition back into their local community.

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation agencies will be eligible to apply for funding to deliver local programs under the $4.8 million grants fund.

Effective ‘step-down’ support will greatly improve access to rehabilitation for new clients and take pressure off the current broken system.

Waiting lists for residential rehabilitation have blown out under Labor, with some people being told they have to wait up to a year.

A Liberal Nationals Government will help more Victorians, particularly in Regional Victoria, get off drugs and get their lives back.

In addition to an expanded Community Ice Action Grants program and more support to get clean and stay clean, a Liberal Nationals Government will also add up to 60 new residential rehabilitation beds across Regional Victoria at new centres in Mildura, Warrnambool and the Latrobe Valley.

We’ll also introduce mandatory residential alcohol and drug treatment for young people whose offending or risky behaviour is a result of substance abuse.

Comment attributable to Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy

Ice remains the drug of greatest concern in our communities and it’s critical we provide more support to help Victorians get off drugs and get their lives back.

Local people know their community best, which is why we’ll support more local ideas to help Victorians struggling with addiction or most at risk with an expanded Community Ice Action Grants program.

We’ll also broaden the approach to alcohol and drug rehabilitation with improved access to support to help people get clean and stay clean.

Only a Liberal Nationals Government will deliver a more effective rehabilitation system and better awareness campaigns for young people and the community to help people get off drugs and get their life back.