Northern Territory Drug Abuse Plan Announced

The Howard Government has provided more than $5 million in funding for new grants aimed at preventing and reducing the use of "ice” and other drugs by young people, including funding of almost $200,000 for local Territory organisations, the Member for Solomon, Mr David Tollner MP said today.

Welcoming the news, Mr Tollner said the Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council had received a grant of $78,000 for the "Youth Amphetamine Information Project Northern Territory.”

"The project will have an emphasis on prevention and early intervention. A training package targeting youth in the Darwin community will be developed specifically for those who are at risk of drug abuse, in particular amphetamines,” Mr Tollner said.

Anglicare NT has also received funding of $120,000 for the "Nungu Malaatjarryunarawu…YOUR CHOICE” project which is a socio-educational project for youth from the Nhulunbuy, Yirrkala and Ski Beach communities, aimed at preventing and reducing drug related harm.

The grants are part of the fifth round of funding from the Government's Community Partnerships Initiative.

"This is a huge boost for the electorate in its capacity to deliver crucial drug treatment services to young people,” Mr Tollner said.
"This is another example of the Australian Government's support for community organisations developing local solutions to problems that contribute to the prevention and reduction of drug abuse by young people,” Mr Tollner said.

"A swag of 57 projects have been announced nationally in metropolitan and rural and remote areas right around the country.
"Governments cannot tackle the drug problem alone and it is with the support and commitment of communities that we will be able to make a real difference.”

2007-05-01