I am pleased to announce almost $18 million in grants under Tough on Drugs for community organisations to provide treatment, rehabilitation and support for those affected by illicit drugs.
Sixty four non-government treatment services will receive funding as part of this announcement for a range of projects to deliver treatment, prevention and support services to help individuals and families recover from drug use and resume a normal healthy life.
Today';s successful recipients represent communities across all states and territories. Successful organisations in Queensland include:
#61623; Teen Challenge, which is receiving $210,046 to establish a Drug Overdose Visitation Project. #61623; Gold Coast Drug Council, which is receiving $223,675 to establish a Youth Dual Diagnosis Support Programme. #61623; We Help Ourselves (WHOS), which is receiving $1,358,495 to establish the WHOS Sunshine Coast service.
These funds are provided under the Non-Government Organisation Treatment Grants Programme, through which the Government is working closely with local communities to help our young people reject illicit drugs. Since 1998, the Government has provided over $123 million to over 200 projects under this programme.
In allocating these funds to community organisations, the Government receives advice from the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD). In preparing this advice, the ANCD draws on its own members'; experience in providing community-based treatment for users of illicit drugs. I would like to thank the ANCD for its guidance and advice in the fight against illicit drug use in Australia.
Since 1997, the Government has committed more than $1 billion to Tough on Drugs to reduce the supply of and demand for illicit drugs. Tough on Drugs is working. The 2001 National Drug Strategy Household Survey reported a 23 per cent reduction in the proportion of people using illicit drugs in the previous three years. Since 1999, there has been a 67 per cent drop in heroin-related deaths for people aged 15 to 55 years. Australian Government law enforcement agencies have prevented over nine tonnes of illicit drugs from reaching Australian streets since 1997.
I am very proud of the government';s continued commitment to our young people and their families under Tough on Drugs. Through the partnership between government, individuals and community organisations, we are making a real difference in our communities. I wish all treatment services funded in today';s announcement and their communities every success in this vital work.