Professor Ian Webster is this year's winner of the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence and Outstanding Contribution to Drug and Alcohol Endeavours.
The award recognises Professor Webster's significant commitment and contribution to reducing the impact and negative effects of drug and alcohol use.
The award was presented on behalf of the Prime Minister by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, at the Drug Action Week 2009 - Drug and Alcohol Awards Gala Dinner, held in the Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra, tonight.
Professor Webster is a physician and Emeritus Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine of the University of New South Wales. He is Patron of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia, Chair of the National Advisory Council on Suicide Prevention, Chair of the NSW Expert Advisory Committee on Alcohol and Drugs, President of the Governing Council of The Ted Noffs Foundation and a former member of the Australian National Council on Drugs.
Now in its sixth year, the National Drug and Alcohol Awards honour the tireless work of the many Australians striving to prevent and reduce the harm caused by the abuse and misuse of drugs and alcohol.
Rewarding excellence across all fields - prevention, treatment, research, education, law enforcement, media and youth service, the awards are a chance to recognise the contribution of the many people across Australia who devote their lives to helping those with drug and alcohol problems.
The Australian Government is also committed to combating the harm caused by alcohol and drug problems. Through an investment of more than $850 million in a range of programs including the National Binge Drinking Strategy, the Government is striving to address the health and social problems caused by misuse of these substances in our communities.
Further strategies are also being developed through the Preventative Health Taskforce and the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy.