Communities think twice about drugs
17 June 2011
Hunter New England Health is encouraging people to think about how they can help change the culture of drinking as part of Drug Action Week (19-25 June).
Drug Action Week is held nationally to raise awareness about drugs and other alcohol issues within Australia.
Hunter New England Health community project officer Helena Hodgson said changing the drinking culture of young Australians is the main theme adopted by local community groups for Drug Action Week.
“Binge drinking has increasingly become a major health issue for many Australians, particularly young people,” Ms Hodgson said.
“Teenagers are drinking at a younger age and at risky levels.
“Community Drug Action Teams bring together people who live and work in a local area who want to do something about issues affecting their communities.”
Many of the teams are focusing on providing positive alternatives for young people, to encourage them to participate in activities and events without the need for drugs or alcohol.
“It might be playing sport, being involved with their friends or seeing life through a different perspective,” she said.
A youth skate competition, an interactive anti drink driving workshop and the opening of a new half-court basketball court are some of the activities planned for the week.
“Community drug action is about local communities coming together and the new basketball court at Lakeside at Raymond Terrace is a good example of that,” Ms Hodgson said.
“It is a joint initiative that started with local young people themselves and has involved Port West Community Drug Action Team, Port Stephens Council and other community partners and has been developed through funds raised by Port West CDAT.”
Ms Hodgson said one of the community teams in partnership with their local Liquor Accord had also focused on secondary supply of alcohol to young people.
“Sometimes in trying to change young people’s culture of drinking we have to look to change the attitudes of older people. Parents, siblings and adults also have a role to play.”
(See over for a list of activities in the Hunter.)
Community Drug Action Week activities in the Hunter include:
• Muswellbrook Community Drug Action Team is hosting a youth skate competition on Saturday, 19 June. The competition is being held at Muswellbrook Skate Park in Rutherford Road from 9am to 3pm. Contact Lynda Snow on 6543 4841 for further information.
• The Cessnock Community Drug Action Team is hosting Say No to Drink Driving, an interactive workshop on drink driving where participants will experience different strength beer goggles to see the effect on their driving skills while playing a Play Station Driving game. The workshop and information stall will be at Cessnock Plaza shopping centre on Tuesday, 21 June from 11am. Contact Jennifer Jackson on 0400 330 372 for further information.
• Port West Community Drug Action Team at Raymond Terrace is launching an initiative around about secondary supply of alcohol to minors on Friday 24 June at Lakeside Tavern, in the Lakeside Shopping Village on Richardson Road, at 10am. Contact Laraine Dickson on 0405 058 818 for further information.
• A new half-court basketball court will be launched at Lakeside Park Raymond Terrace at 11am on Saturday 25 June. The basketball court is a joint initiative of local young people, Port West Community Drug Action Team, Port Stephens Council and other community partners and has been developed through funds raised by Port West CDAT. There will also be other activities as part of the community day. Contact James Campbell 0427 882 722 for further information.
• Information stalls are also being held between 9.30am and 2pm in the foyer of Belmont Hospital on Tuesday 21 June and in the foyer of Royal Newcastle Centre at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday 22 June.
NOTE FOR MEDIA: Drug Action Week is a national week of activities, many run by local Community Drug Action Teams, and is coordinated by the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia. Community Drug Action Teams in our region are supported by Hunter New England Health through its Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services.
Contact: Frances Holz
Phone: 4939 2216