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‘Drug treatment more available than ever before’ as Government expands funding to NGO sectorThe Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) has welcomed today’s Federal Government announcement of new funding for over 60 non-government organisations to provide treatment for drug and alcohol problems. Chairman of the ANCD, Major Brian Watters, said “I am very pleased to see this ongoing and expanded commitment to treatment. It has been a long held goal of mine to see treatment for drug and alcohol problems being more available and easier to access than drugs themselves. In some countries the majority of people who have problems with their drug use are in treatment and this is something we need to achieve here. To put it simply, more people in treatment means less lives lost, less pain and suffering for individuals, families and communities, and far less damage to the health and well being of our nation.” Major Watters added, “The work of the non-government sector in providing treatment for drug and alcohol problems is rightly being more and more recognised at the Federal, State and Territory levels. Clearly, governments need to be involved but when it comes to providing effective, efficient and professional treatment for drug and alcohol problems the compassionate and community based contribution of the NGO sector is vital.” In all, additional funding of almost $18 million will be provided to a range of services and projects (see attached) Whilst accompanying the Prime Minister at today’s announcement, Major Watters also took the opportunity to comment more broadly on Australia’s approach to addressing drug and alcohol problems, “This commitment to treatment is much needed and much welcomed as part of an overall and somewhat uniquely Australian approach which seeks to bring together government and non-government sectors, health and law enforcement, and other areas such as education, families and youth to work in partnership. Addressing drug problems sometimes requires us to make decisions that are quite difficult. For instance, the presence of HIV and hepatitis obligates us to have needle and syringe programs, methadone and other harm reduction strategies in place. At the same time the reality of the pain and suffering caused by drug use obligates us to provide a range of treatments that will help people to lead drug free lives. Also we require education to help prevent people from using drugs in the first place. Just as important is the role of police and customs to bring to justice those that seek to profit from others pain and suffering by trafficking in illicit substances. Indeed, it is this combination of approaches that brings us our success and despite our political and personal beliefs in some areas it is our ability to work together that ensures its longevity.” 30 April 2004
The ANCD is the principal advisory body to Government on drug and alcohol issues. For further information, please contact: Major Brian Watters (Chair) Mr Gino Vumbaca (Executive Officer)
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