Local drug action teams to be set up in Balga and Merriwa

LOCAL drug action teams will be set up in Balga and Merriwa to prevent harm from alcohol and other drugs at a grassroots level.

The Federal Government and the Alcohol and Drug Foundation announced another 92 community partnerships joining the existing 80 teams on May 28.

The program supports organisations to build or extend partnerships in their community and use local knowledge to deliver alcohol and other drug harm prevention projects.

In Balga, the partnership is with the Wadjak Northside Aboriginal Community Group and in Merriwa it is Mercy Community Services.

Both will focus on working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and receive $10,000 in Federal funding initially and support from the foundation to finalise a community action plan.

Foundation chief execuitve Erin Lalor said it was an opportunity for community partnerships to use local knowledge and build evidence-informed initiatives to prevent harm from alcohol and other drugs.

“The Local Drug Action Team Program recognises that all local areas are different,” Dr Lalor said.

“Community-led initiatives are critical when it comes to preventing harms caused by alcohol and other drugs, including crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’).”

Other new teams will include partnerships with UWA at College Row and LDAG Inc in Rockingham-Kwinana.

Visit community.adf.org.au for more information.

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