Coalition Government's new two-year strategy against drug abuse

26/6/97

The Coalition Government's new two-year strategy against drug abuse 'Together Against Drugs' represents a comprehensive, across-government approach, the Minister responsible for the WA Strategy Against Drug Abuse, Rhonda Parker, said today.

Mrs Parker said the strategy, which built on the Government's previous work in this area, contained a range of initiatives designed to tackle the abuse of legal and illegal drugs across all areas.

"Drug initiatives within the areas of education, health, law enforcement, community support and community action will be coordinated under the one umbrella," the Minister said at the breakfast launch of 'Together Against Drugs'.

"This will provide a clear focus and better management and utilisation of resources.

"One of the key elements of the strategy is that there is a strong emphasis on early intervention and support.

"The problem of drug abuse must be addressed with preventive education, information and support services - not decriminalisation."

The strategy also recognised the importance of the broader community in addressing this problem.

Mrs Parker said that a WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office, formerly the Central Drug Co-ordination Unit, which implemented the recommendations of the 1995 WA Task Force on Drug Abuse, would be established.

This Office (WADASO) would be responsible for providing a strong focus on the Government's response to the drug problem in Western Australia.

It would co-ordinate the implementation of 'Together Against Drugs', as well as providing policy advice on drug issues to the Government. WADASO would receive an allocation of $24 million over two years, including $4 million of new funding.

"The new strategy does not pretend that any single approach is enough or that there is a miracle solution to this global problem," Mrs Parker said.

"Rather, it recognises that drug abuse is an ever-changing problem that is affected by international supply and cultural trends. There is no room for complacency now or in the future."

The WA Strategy Against Drug Abuse 'Together Against Drugs' package includes 40 new measures as well as many expanded initiatives.

Key initiatives include:

·      A Ministerial Council Against Drug Abuse consisting of the Ministers for Police, Health, Education, Aboriginal Affairs, Family and Children's Services, Youth and the Attorney General.

EDUCATION:

·      $1 million to expand the current School Drug Education Project, which was announced in April, to reach all years, in every school, with new curriculum and training for teachers; and -

·      drug education courses to become available for all parents throughout Western Australia.

HEALTH:

·      the establishment of a specialist Alcohol and Drug Services Unit within the WA Health Department. This will bring the current health services of the WA Alcohol and Drug Authority into the context of the broad health system;

·      the expansion of the methadone treatment program through general practitioners and community-based pharmacies to meet the demands of heroin dependent people requiring this treatment; and -

·      a major program with The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (WA branch) will enable more parents, families and drug users to be reached with information and advice regarding drugs.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT:

·      $3 million for the establishment of 10 Community Drug Service Teams across Western Australia. The four teams in the metropolitan area and six in the country will be made up of professionals in the areas of alcohol and drugs, youth and family services. The teams will focus on early intervention support for families and communities and will link closely with, and support, Local Drug Action Groups;

·      services and community responses addressing alcohol abuse by Aboriginal people to be developed in accordance with the 'Living with Alcohol' program. This initiative came out of a State-wide consultation with Aboriginal people; and -

·      drug abuse treatment services for agencies providing supported accommodation for youth, piloted in the last year, will be assessed and further developed in conjunction with Family and Children's Services.

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

·      street dealing of drugs will be the target of a new concerted operation by the WA Police Service. This will be called 'Operation Final Dose'; and -

·      the strengthening of the capacity to seize and confiscate assets of drug suppliers with new laws building upon existing laws.

COMMUNITY ACTION

·      the expansion of Local Drug Action Groups with an extra 20 to make a statewide network of 40 groups. They will be strengthened through the involvement of police, local government, schools, Family and Children's Services and the provision of training; and -

·      the establishment of the 'Leaders Against Drug Abuse Team' with the participation of the Governor, Major-General Michael Jeffery, to support public and school education.

SPECIFIC ISSUE INITIATIVES include a Heroin Overdose Strategy involving: 

·      a comprehensive strategy to address heroin overdoses with a Heroin Overdose Strategy Group. The group will include representatives from ambulance and hospital emergency medical services, the WA Health Department, alcohol and drug agencies, the WA Substance Users' Association, the WA Police Service, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (WA Branch) and the National Centre for Research into the Prevention of Drug Abuse;

·      a focus on heroin in the next phase of the 'Drug Aware' public education campaign. This campaign is due to start soon; and -

·      the production and distribution of information, as well as education, for heroin users.

Mrs Parker said the WA Strategy Against Drug Abuse was the result of many negotiations with a range of Government Ministers and agencies as well as community groups and individuals.

"I would like to thank all those involved for the high level of co-operation the Government has received," the Minister said.

"I sincerely hope that this spirit of co-operation is embraced by the whole community so that we can all work Together Against Drugs."

Media contact: Kaye Hopkins 9481 7810