By Kyra Gillespie
A Cardinia Shire community group is one in 14 across Melbourne and regional Victoria to receive funding to help tackle ice use and addiction in the area.
TaskForce Community Agency, who specialise in alcohol and other drugs counselling, will receive a $10,000 State Government grant to put towards initiatives to help prevent and reduce ice-related harm.
Applications were encouraged from groups with a focus on improving community safety, Aboriginal populations and young people who are at risk of entering the youth justice system.
Minister for Mental Health, Martin Foley, said a localised focus was paramount to tackling the enormous issue.
“We’re supporting locals, who know their area better than anyone, to reduce the harm of ice,” he said.
“These grants will help these community groups fight this terrible drug, which is putting pressure on our hospitals, hurting families and leading to more assaults on paramedics and other first responders.”
“I congratulate all of these community groups, which are working so hard to fight this impact of ice and delivering health prevention activities, education, mentoring and support for vulnerable people.”
