THE region’s peak drug and alcohol group has received a $40,000 boost to fund educational and awareness programs across the Limestone Coast.
At last week’s bi-monthly meeting, the Limestone Coast Local Government Association (LCLGA) resolved to provide Substance Misuse Limestone Coast with further funding for regional projects aimed at continuing the work already achieved.
Substance Misuse Limestone Coast project manager Sophie Bourchier and Limestone Coast Drug Action Team chair Sergeant Andy Stott addressed elected members and staff on the group’s progress.
Ms Bourchier said the acquisition of an evidence-based secondary school education program aimed at reducing alcohol binging and consumption, cannabis and ecstasy use was among the group’s major priorities.
She said the Climate Schools program had been delivered by Tenison Woods College, with Millicent High School recently purchasing the program for use at the school, the Millicent Community Learning Centre and the Independent Learning Centre.
Ms Bourchier said the group had collaborated with Rotary clubs and other community groups across the region to deliver a number of methamphetamine “ice” forums.
However, she said attendance at the forums had been relatively low compared to the Understanding the Ice Factor forum held in 2015, which attracted more than 600 people to hear about the dangers of ice.
“We cannot tell if people are feeling happy about the ice situation, if they are feeling confident or if they are feeling supported,” she said.
“We think we are going to plough on and keep on doing what we are doing.”
LCLGA chair Erika Vickery said additional support was necessary “to make the project really work”.
“I know sometimes these projects take a lot of work to get them going and then you start to make some progress,” she said.
“I think we are at that particular stage.”
Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi supported a move to lobby the State Government for funds, with LCLGA executive officer Dominic Testoni telling the group discussions had been undertaken with Health Minister Stephen Wade’s office.
Substance Misuse Limestone Coast has also made an additional application for funding under the Federal Government’s Alcohol and Drug Foundation Community Action Plan program.
The group’s outcome on the bid is unknown at this stage.
