Melton and Moorabool sports clubs have been provided with funding to help fight the ‘ice’ scourge.
Last week, state Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge announced funding of $300,000 for the Good Sports program.
The program, run by the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF), deals with more than 1000 sports clubs across Victoria – including about 30 in Melton and Moorabool.
The program currently tackles high-risk drinking and provides valuable connections between families, young people and support services.
The new funding will expand the program’s capacity to deal with the ice epidemic.
“While alcohol is still the drug most widely abused by young men and women, the increased use of methamphetamines such as ice is a trend we need to address and reverse,” Ms Wooldridge said.
ADF chief executive John Rogerson welcomed the funding, saying it was the “natural next step” in tackling the state’s grim drug and alcohol culture.
“The funding will provide support to help clubs practically deal with illicit drugs,” Mr Rogerson said.
“We will be educating them around illicit drugs, particularly ice, and assisting them with finding help.”
The funding will enable organisations, including football, soccer and cricket clubs, to develop effective anti-ice strategies, act as community leaders in responding to ice use, help with training of members to strengthen community resilience to ice use, and connect families and young people to local support services.
Melton Centrals president Andrew Sweeney said the program would help sports clubs identify users and help provide them with the help they needed.
“If we can get educated by the Good Sports program about signs to look out for and avenues to help, we can get lives back on track,” Mr Sweeney said.
Ms Wooldridge stressed the importance of education in fighting ice.
“Education and prevention is a key element to stopping young people from experimenting with this dangerous drug,” she said.
“The Good Sports program is well placed to provide the education as well as assisting families and those needing help to access the support they need.”
The Napthine government has rolled out about $100 million worth of funding to help tackle Victoria’s growing ice problem.
Call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 if you would like to talk about your own or someone else’s drug use, or visit www.ice.vic.gov.au to learn of the risks associated with the drug.
