$5 million to help local communities fight drugs

The Government is calling for imaginative grass-roots ideas on how to prevent people from getting caught up in drugs and to help those using drugs to stop, says Health Minister John Thwaites.

‘We have allocated $5 million to fund 74 projects across the state to help local communities tackle the drug problem in meaningful and practical ways.

‘Projects may include after-school sports clinics and other drug free activities, helping businesses develop job opportunities for troubled youth or organising clean-ups of parks or public areas with a high level of drug use,’ Mr Thwaites said.

‘There is no quick fix to the drug problem but communities that are strong and cohesive have lower rates of drug abuse and crime.

‘The Government wants to support schools, local businesses, community and sporting clubs to come up with projects that will reach out to vulnerable people to becoming involved in illicit drugs and to help people on drugs get their lives back on track.

‘The drug problem is a huge challenge for communities and it will take grit and imagination to fight it.

‘While communities are best placed to respond to local drug issues they have not always had the resources to do so.

‘The Government’s $5 million Community Strengthening Initiative will ensure that local businesses, community groups and residents will be given the support they need to tackle the drug problem together.’

Mr Thwaites said successful projects would need to include young people and those ‘at risk’ of becoming involved in drugs and demonstrate strong community links.

Of the $5 million allocated to the Community Strengthening Initiative, $4.1 million is available for local and regional projects and the balance for statewide projects.

• Information on how to make a submission is available on the internet at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/phd/csi/index.htm.