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Federal Government funding scheme for drug misuse in Indigenous communities

The following summary has been adapted from the 29 August 2003 Ministerial media release.

The Federal Government has recently announced a number of funding grants for Indigenous communities. Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Trish Worth, has detailed grants worth over $16 million to combat alcohol and other drug misuse in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities following an announcement by the Prime Minister.

Regarding the funding grants, Ms Worth stated:

'Communities will use these grants to learn how to combat drug misuse. In particular, they will learn from the experiences of other communities that have shown outstanding success.'

As part of the funding, the Prime Minister has announced that $10.5 million from the Tough on Drugs Diversion Initiative will be directed towards a new National Drug Strategy Indigenous Community Initiative. Over four years, the initiative will support communities in developing local solutions to prevent harmful drug use, including control of alcohol supplies and issues of substance use. The funding will also assist in improving access to intervention services and developing strategies to prevent drug-related harm.

Further, the Australian Government will provide $6.1 million worth of new projects under the Non-Government Organisation Treatment Grants Program (NGOTGP) to target alcohol and drug abuse in Indigenous communities.

Ms Worth said of the initiatives:

'Priority will be given to support initiatives that target the link between alcohol use and family violence. The program will encourage behaviours that reinforce traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and culture. Parenting and families will be a high priority. Clearly, this grant scheme must be community-driven. Many communities have achieved outstanding success. Funds will help communities develop detailed project plans for new initiatives and bring these ideas to fruition.'

For further information:

View Ministerial media release
View funding fact sheet (PDF - 120KB)

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Last updated: 29 September, 2003