Drug action team planned
A "community drug action team" will be set up on the Peninsula under a regional drugs strategy announced this month.
Minister for the Central Coast, John Della Bosca, launched the Central Coast Drugs and Community Regional Action Plan at the Central Coast Leagues Club on September 11.
An outcome of the 1999 NSW Drug Summit, the regional action plan contains 52 wide-ranging recommendations.
Preventative measures include encouraging early school leavers to complete their education and greater use of regional recreational facilities as family-oriented venues.
The plan will be implemented by 25 organisations, including government and non-government groups, business, church and welfare groups.
Under the plan, seven community drug action teams will be set up on the Central Coast.
The community drug action teams will involve local schools, police and the community in a partnership against drugs.
The teams will work on a range of strategies covering prevention, intervention, diversion and treatment activities.
"The regional action plan helps tackle drug abuse on the Central Coast, said Mr Della Bosca.
"The plan encourages a partnership between families, schools and police."
Chief executive officer of Central Coast Area Health Mr Jon Blackwell said, "The Central Coast Drugs and Community Action Strategy is a living document to be amended over time.
"The impact of drug use is far broader than its effect on the Health and Police Departments.
"Many other government departments at the State and local level as well as non-government organisations, business and community groups also become involved.
"We have therefore taken a whole-of-community approach.
"On the health side, as a result of the drug summit which led to this drug strategy, funding has been made available for the building of the Central Coast's first detoxification unit.
"We have also had outstanding success with the increased use of general practitioners (GP's) to deal with drug addicts.
"This has led to over 150 addicts using local GP facilities to obtain their methadone rather than needing to go to a methadone clinic.
"The Central Coast Area Health Service has committed its resources fully to the implementation of this drug strategy."
Gosford mayor Cr Chris Holstein said: "This strategy has 52 recommendations and Council has to be across all of them.
"Of our population, 21 per cent is under 19 years of age.
"We are over the state average per capita in the numbers of people who are either unemployed, who suicide, or are over 60 years old.
"For this drug strategy to succeed, it needs to have the support of all of us in the community, not just left to one part of it."
Brisbane Water Police commander, Superintendent Bob Waites, said: "Only 11 of the 52 recommendations are police and health matters.
"The drug strategy is the first opportunity for the entire community to work as one to tackle this enormous problem.
"No one group fully understands this complex problem or has all the answers to resolve it.
"The drug strategy is a breath of fresh air for the police service and a great opportunity to work with the community towards a common goal.
"The police can only treat the symptoms, not the problem.
"My command is fully committed to making this strategy work."
Department of Education and Training district superintendent, Mr Bill Low, said: "Schools must play a vital role in drug education.
"The school environment is a critical part of children's lives and drug education must commence in primary schools where children are more receptive to it.
"Funding has already been allocated for a kindergarten to year 6 Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDH&PE) program including drug education.
"Head teachers from each school in the region have met to discuss the problem and decide on the program's implementation.
"They will now return to their schools and pass on the relevant information to all the other teachers.
"I offer my personal commitment to making this drug strategy work."
Cec Bucello, September 19