October 2002

Diverse projects address drugs

Multicultural and Aboriginal communities will receive $1 million Government funding to identify and combat drug-related issues.

Minister for Health John Thwaites said 10 pilot groups representing a diverse range of cultures would take part in a new Premier’s Drug Prevention Council initiative, titled the Healthy Communities Project.

‘The Healthy Communities Project aims to help communities identify and address local drug issues.

‘The Council has allocated $1 million to the project which will assist the groups to develop drug prevention initiatives and programs at a local level.

‘This project is one of a range of strategies implemented by the Government to improve the health of Victoria’s diverse communities as part of a $77 million boost to drugs prevention funding.’

A Healthy Communities Resource Team has been established to work with the 10 pilot groups to develop drug prevention initiatives.

The first five pilot programs have begun in the Arabic community in the northern suburbs, Aboriginal communities in Benalla, Bendigo and Healesville and the Indo-Chinese community in Dandenong.

The next group will begin work later this year.

They include African communities in the western suburbs; Baw Baw Shire at Trafalgar; the City of Casey; Otway communities and the Five Neighbourhoods Action Group in the suburbs of Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, Greenvale, Somerton and Oaklands Junction.

Among the activities include surveys and analysis of local attitudes and issues by members of the communities.

‘The information will be used to develop Community Action Plans on drug prevention.’