Media release

Focus on rural and regional Australia

The Australian National Council on Drugs, the peak advisory body to Government on drug policy, today expressed its support of the Federal Governments recent budget announcement, which addresses some of the disadvantages faced by rural and regional Australia.

In keeping with this commitment, the ANCD has announced it will be funding a number of Study Grants for alcohol and other drug workers based in rural and regional Australia.

Major Brian Watters, Chairman of the ANCD, stated, "There is so much good work that goes unrecognised in rural and regional Australia. These grants will provide an opportunity for many of the dedicated, and often isolated, people working in the drug and alcohol fieldto broaden their experiences. An experience Im sure will benefit their work in local communities".

Executive Officer, Mr Gino Vumbaca added, "People are telling the Council that it is difficult to share experiences and network in rural and regional Australia, given the distances involved and limited resources available for staff development. Through these Grants, the Council also hopes that some of the innovative work conducted by small, rural agencies will result in a sharing of knowledge, and more permanent partnerships between alcohol and other drug agencies being established".

The ANCD is currently writing to every alcohol and other drug agency in the country to advise and explain the ANCD Study Grants Program. The Council hopes to review and announce Grant recipients in July.

16 May 2000

Further Inquiries to:

Major Brian Watters, Chairman
02 9212 4000 or 0414 780 509

Gino Vumbaca, Executive Officer
02 6279 1650 or 0408 244 552

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