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Partnership Approach To Drug And Alcohol IssuesBass Coast Shire Council launched their Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2007-2011 on Thursday June 21 at the Civic Centre in Wonthaggi. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 22nd June 2007 - Back to News Community and service providers were in attendance to hear guest speakers Tina Hooper, Sgt. Brendan Horrocks and Dr John O’Donoghue talk about their experiences with people who are battling the effects of substance abuse.
Council’s Social Planner, Jeanette Draper said the speakers gave a valuable insight into the impact substance abuse has on our community.
"Tina Hooper, a member of the peer support group, Families Helping Families, gave a heart wrenching talk about the effects of drug abuse on families," said Ms Draper.
"Tina said she felt that families would be better supported if the stigma associated with substance abuse was lifted.
"She also believes that community awareness about the issue could be increased by the availability of more information," Ms Draper said.
"As Tina said, unfortunately any family could be affected."
Sgt Brendan Horrocks from Wonthaggi Police commended the Council for taking the initiative in developing the Strategy.
"He discussed the work police do in conjunction with other organisations to tackle the issue of drug and alcohol abuse," said Ms Draper.
"While illegal substance abuse is a legal issue, police realise it is a health issue as well."
"They understand that a combined approach is necessary to tackle the issue and refer offenders to the relevant drug and alcohol services for counselling and treatment," Ms Draper continued.
Dr John O’Donoghue gave a medical perspective on the impact of substance abuse.
"Dr O’Donoghue reiterated that substance abuse affects the whole community and therefore a team approach in dealing with the issue is needed," Ms Draper said.
"He described substance addiction as a chronic illness that requires lifelong monitoring.
"Dr O’Donoghue said he did not believe that people start taking drugs because they want to become addicted. It is often due to something that they are trying to escape from," explained Ms Draper.
"Building young children’s resilience and educating them on the effects of substance abuse is one way of trying to prevent them from using drugs as they get older."
While treatment services have increased in Bass Coast there is still a gap in residential rehabilitation services and long term intensive treatment.
Ms Draper commended all the agencies involved in the project.
"The launch was a very positive start to the Strategy, which really is a collaborative project between Council, representatives from community and health service providers and the Department of Human Services, Gippsland region."
Copies of the Strategy are available by contacting Council’s Community Facilitator, Tony Cornish on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) for the cost of a local call.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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