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Media Release
30 June 2006
Council and Yarra Drug and Heath Forum develop draft Drug Action Plan
The City of Yarra in conjunction with the Yarra Drug and Health Forum has developed a draft plan to reduce the impact of legal and illegal drug use and misuse across the municipality.
The draft Drug Action Plan is being recommended for endorsement and to undergo a further two months of community consultation.
The draft plan will be discussed and the recommendation considered by Councillors at the Human Services and Community Development Committee on Tuesday 4 July and then at a full meeting of Council on Tuesday 18 July.
The draft Drug Action Plan identifies a number of goals, objectives and actions for both Council and the Yarra Drug and Health Forum which focus on the four priority areas; community education, access to treatment and support services for drug users and affected communities, public space management, and addressing the underlying factors associated with drug use.
The draft Drug Action Plan has been developed and informed through an extensive process of research and consultation over the past 12 months, including five community forums, interviews with health agencies and research commissioned by Council through Turning Point Drug and Alcohol Centre.
Chair of the Yarra Drug and Health Forum, Peter Wearne, said the City of Yarra was susceptible to a range of drug issues because of its lively entertainment precincts, high number of visitors, good transport links, population density, concentration of licensed premises and proximity to community services.
"After working closely with the Yarra community for more than ten years our observations indicate that legal drugs such as tobacco and alcohol have by far the greatest contribution to poor health status amongst the Yarra community.
"In addition to this increasing illegal drug use, in particular the use of drugs like heroin and speed, is also of particular concern in Yarra as it is in many areas across Australia ," he said.
"This is a fantastic initiative by Council and a positive example of how local government can facilitate cooperative partnerships that offer real solutions to the complex issues that drugs often present.
"The Drug Action Plan was developed on a solid consultative process and is supported by a long-standing community partnership forged by Council many years ago.
"We look forward to continuing working with Council to address drug related issues across the municipality, under the clear goals, objective, tasks and timelines included in the draft Drug Action Plan."
The Mayor of Yarra City Council, Cr Jackie Fristacky, said issues relating to both legal and illegal drugs continued to have a detrimental impact on the health and well-being of the Yarra community.
"Listening to residents who attended our community forums and results of the research conducted by Turning Point in July 2005, indicates that drug dealing and use in public spaces and the increasing number of alcohol related assaults are key issues for the City of Yarra , as they are in many areas across the country," she said.
"Dealing with these matters is an integral part of our Municipal Public Health Plan.
"However addressing drug related issues is not something Council and the Yarra Drug and Health Forum can do alone. It requires an integrated approach from all levels of Government, working in partnership with service providers, community groups, police, local businesses and residents.
"In particular, the Victorian Government plays an important role in providing funding and support for local drug initiatives and the review of Municipal Drug Strategy funding is critical to the achievement of the actions identified in the draft Drug Action Plan," she said.
"I am looking forward to discussing this draft plan with my colleagues on Tuesday night and strengthening Council's involvement in addressing this local issue."
Further information
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