WA Swimming and WA Netball to promote message against drug abuse

13/3/99
Two sports supported by thousands at grassroots level have joined the State Government to promote the drug free message, the Minister Responsible for the WA Drug Abuse Strategy Rhonda Parker announced today.
"WA Swimming and WA Netball are the latest sports to promote the message against drug abuse to more than 38,000 West Australians, including the many children who participate in their competitions," Mrs Parker said.
The State Government already has drug free partnerships with Perth Glory, junior soccer, football and junior baseball.
Launching the partnership with WA Swimming at Challenge Stadium today, Mrs Parker said the drug free message reflected swimming's reputation as being a clean sport and the community's opposition to drug abuse.
"Swimming is an ideal sport to promote the drug free message as it has a community orientation with large numbers of parents voluntarily acting as officials, organisers and timekeepers for their children," the Minister said.
Mrs Parker said the State Government, through the WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office, would sponsor the WA Sprint Championships, the Drug Free Sprints, which attract 1,000 swimmers in more than 2,500 events.
"In addition to promoting the drug free message at the championship, swimming clubs and the 50 Local Drug Action Groups around the state will jointly develop ways of promoting the drug free message as well as providing information to parents."
Mrs Parker said the partnership with WA Netball, with its 30,000 registered members in the state, would be officially launched tomorrow. The partnership will:

• promote netball as a strong advocate of a drug free community
• create a role model program that promotes the drug free message; and -
• promote the Parent Drug Information Service and the Alcohol and Drug Information Service within the community

"These sports develop many life skills such as discipline, communication, decision making, goal setting and social skills and assist in the development of self esteem as well as physical fitness," she said.
"These skills enable young people to lead healthy, productive lives and make a positive impact on our community."
Mrs Parker said that as part of the Government's Together Against Drugs Strategy, the sponsorships recognised that the partnership to tackle drug abuse must involve the whole community.
"The Government's approach involves professional services and the local community working together which is the most effective approach to counter drug abuse," the Minister said.
"There are no simple solutions to drug abuse and for that reason the Government's responses to the issue must be both comprehensive and ongoing."
The State Government will spend $100,000 on drug free partnerships with sporting organisations this financial year.
Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810, pager 9480 9430