New Local Drug Action Team formed in the Barwon region

A new federal government grant will bring a number of key community groups together to form a new Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) in the Barwon Region, to help tackle the impact of alcohol and drugs on young people.

“Through the LDAT funding, Barwon Child, Youth & Family and its Communities that Care partners Northern Bay College and Lara Secondary College in collaboration with Leisure Networks and the Geelong Cats, will all come together as one collaborative team to prevent and reduce the harms of alcohol and drugs,” Barwon Child, Youth & Family Acting CEO Max Broadley said.

The Barwon LDAT, is one of 40 groups rolling out across the country to deliver targeted local responses to help prevent drug use and addiction, with the support from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation. It will consolidate and expand on work already taking place across the Barwon region, with a focus on alcohol use, drug education and mental health including education and capacity building programs in local sporting clubs.

“Working collaboratively with the community to deliver locally focused education, early intervention and prevention programs, is one of the best ways we can minimise the risk of alcohol and other drug related harms. This funding announcement highlights the strong relationships between the organisations in the Barwon Local Drug Action Team and their commitment to improving outcomes for young people and their families.” Max Broadley added.

Leisure Networks CEO Libby Mears said that part of the LDAT program will be working with sporting clubs to support their management of and member education around alcohol and drugs.

“Leisure Networks’ Clubs That Care framework was developed to support clubs to deal with drug issues in young people and will be extended to promote broader messages about member welfare under the leadership of the LDAT.” Libby Mears said.

The new group further strengthens BCYF’s community partnership with the Geelong Cats that is focused on engaging, supporting and educating young people in the Barwon region.

“The Just Think program has been embraced by the Geelong community for over a decade. Being part of the new LDAT is another way the Cats can help deliver practical information and strategies to help young people make informed decisions about alcohol use,” said Cats GM Community Development Sarah Albon.

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