October 2002

Helpline offers drug and alcohol support

A single telephone helpline will provide Victorians with free 24-hour alcohol and drug counselling services.

The helpline launch by Premier Steve Bracks and Health Minister John Thwaites coincided with the relaunch of Victorian Government advertisements warning of the dangers of marijuana and ecstasy.

‘Calls to DirectLine will be free 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, for people to talk to a professional counsellor about alcohol and drug problems,’ Mr Bracks said.

‘DirectLine will ensure all Victorians are aware where they can get help for alcohol and drug problems and what services are available to support them.

‘Just as everyone knows to ring 000 in an emergency, we want everyone to call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 for help with alcohol and drug issues.’

Mr Thwaites said Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre had been operating a number of telephone helplines.

‘Now we have consolidated the helpline to a single number to make it easier for members of the public to get help.

‘To promote the new number, the cannabis and ecstasy ads are being shown again with new branding at the end.

‘The Victorian drug climate has changed during the past 12 months with significant drops in heroin overdose rates.

‘Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre has advised that the number of dependent heroin users has decreased by 20 per cent—from 35,000 to 28,000 in the last 12 months.

‘We need to remain vigilant, however, as the latest quarterly survey from the Premier’s Drug Prevention Council showed close to 50 per cent of young people have used cannabis at some time in their lives, 15 per cent have used ecstasy and 11 per cent, amphetamines.

‘While the numbers who use drugs on a more regular basis are much lower, it does highlight the need to continue our efforts.’

Mr Thwaites said the Government booklet Drugs—how and where to get help was being re-printed to meet the huge demand after 20,000 copies were distributed as part of a Drug Community Awareness Campaign.

‘An updated electronic version will be available on the internet at www.drugs.vic.gov.

‘There are also fact sheets in English and nine other languages and information on interpreting services.’

Mr Bracks said the Government recognised the seriousness of the drug issue and had directed an additional $77 million worth of initiatives to try and tackle the drug problem.

Mr Thwaites said the Premier's Drug Prevention Council had worked very effectively to bring together a number of media partners to promote DirectLine through metropolitan and regional media outlets.

‘Their support, worth more than $1.5 million, will mean an advertising campaign will feature over the next 12 months in the Herald Sun, on the Ten Network, Southern Cross Broadcasting (3AW and Magic 693) and Nova FM.

‘This innovative partnership between the Premier’s Drug Prevention Council, our media partners and Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre will result in very real benefits for Victorians.’