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Have Your Say On Drug And Alcohol Strategy

Tobacco and alcohol remain the main contributors to drug related harm in Australia, with Bass Coast having amongst the highest smoking caused deaths in Australia.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 19th January 2007 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council, in partnership with a community Reference Group, has developed a five-year Strategy to help ensure local alcohol and drug issues are given they attention they need.

The Council is now asking for feedback on the Bass Coast Shire Drug & Alcohol Strategy 2007-2011 from the wider community.

"We found that drug and alcohol treatment and counselling services in the Shire were of a very high standard, but there are lack of crisis accommodation facilities," says Council’s Social Planner, Jeanette Draper.

"The new strategy aims to maintain and enhance these services and facilities, increase community awareness and provide more life skills for children.

"Although Council is not a provider of Drug and Alcohol services, we do strive to advocate on behalf of the community to ensure quality service is provided and we welcome a public viewing of the Strategy."

The Reference Group that helped Council develop the Strategy included local providers of drug and alcohol services, police and community representatives, including users of drugs and their carers.

As part of their research, the groups found that cannabis and amphetamines were the main illicit drug choice for users.

Drug and alcohol service providers state that all age groups are represented on their client bases, the main age group of attendees of both genders being 25 to 45 years. There are clients, however, aged from 13 to 80 years.

"The misuse of drugs and alcohol impacts the whole community.

"The Strategy provides a framework for an integrated, planned approach to address issues that are priorities for the Bass Coast Shire," continued Ms Draper.

"The members of the Reference Group are to be praised for the valuable input they provided to the Strategy.

"Special thanks needs to go to the community representatives who gave up their valuable time to assist us," thanked Ms Draper.

- More -

Copies of the proposed plan can be obtained at any Bass Coast Shire Council service centre, Bass Coast Community Health Service or Bass Coast Regional Health service centre or on Council’s website www.basscoast.vic.gov.au.

Please return comments by Friday 23 February to Jeanette Draper, Social Planner, Bass Coast Shire Council, PO Box 118, Wonthaggi 3995, or email j.draper@basscoast.vic.gov.au

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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