New team to provide drug counselling services launched in Broome

8/7/98

A new team set up to provide alcohol and drug counselling services in the Kimberley has been officially launched in Broome today by the Minister for Western Australian Drug Abuse Strategy, Rhonda Parker.

The team, including four full-time Aboriginal staff located in Broome and Derby, will provide counselling and skills development for community-based treatment programs.

"The Kimberley Community Drug Service Team is to be managed by the Northwest Mental Health Service," Mrs Parker said.

"A special focus of this team will be to assist communities to respond to alcohol and drug problems in their area, and encouraging the development of Local Drug Action Groups to prevent drug abuse through support to local communities throughout the Kimberley.

"The Community Drug Service Team will emphasise early intervention and family support. It will provide much needed assistance to schools handling drug abuse incidents so that problems can be addressed before they escalate."

Consultancy and education also remains a high priority.

"Staff will support agencies such as Family and Children's Services, the Ministry of Justice and Health practitioners, all of whom see a large number of clients with alcohol and drug related problems, who have usually come to them for other reasons," Mrs Parker said.

The Kimberley team is one of 10 established by the State Government throughout Western Australia, with six in country regions and four in the Perth metropolitan area.

The State Government realises that Community Drug Service Teams alone will not solve all drug and alcohol problems but believes they, with expansion of services for both treatment and prevention, will help support the effort that is required by the whole community.

Media contact: Donna Cole on 9481 7810