Published Wednesday, 28 February, 2007 at 09:56 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Warren Pitt
YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THEIR SAY ABOUT ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE
Young Queenslanders are today coming together at Parliament House to share their stories about alcohol and drug abuse to help the Queensland Government and community organisations shape programs and policies.
In his opening address, Premier Peter Beattie welcomed about 60 representatives to the meeting, including members of youth and community organisations, churches, State Government agencies, local councils and secondary school students.
“Too many of our young Queenslanders who are making their journey into adulthood are having their lives ravaged by drug and alcohol abuse,” Mr Beattie said.
“This forum is an important way my Government can listen to what young people have to say about their problems and the very real challenges that alcohol and drugs pose for them,” he said.
“Having young people engage with Government on different levels gives us a better insight into how we can together tackle this very real community problem and come up with solutions that have every chance of working in the communities that need them the most.
“The young people taking part today are sharing their stories and I want to thank them for their contributions and for speaking openly about drug and alcohol abuse.”
Today’s MC is Young Queenslander of the Year and Young Australian of the Year Tania Major. Presentations throughout the day will be given by young people from the Brisbane Youth Service, Zigzag Young Women’s Resource Centre, Indigenous Youth Health Service, Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Service, Gold Coast Drug Council and Narangba Valley State High School students.
Other key speakers include Youth at Risk Alliance Director Shane Beacall, and Victorian Youth Substance Abuse Service Executive Director David Murray.
Minister for Communities and Youth Warren Pitt said the one-day Premier’s Forum on Young People, Alcohol and Drugs was focused on developing prevention and early intervention strategies for at-risk young people.
“As the Minister for Youth, and the Minister for Communities, I am very passionate about the issues that are being canvassed at the forum,” Mr Pitt said.
“In my role as co-chair of the Queensland Government’s Youth Violence Task Force, the link between alcohol, drugs and violence has become all too clear,” he said.
“Having a sound understanding of all of the issues involved is essential if we as a Government – and as a community – are to develop effective strategies to address the problems that present themselves.”
Mr Pitt said the forum participants included the leaders of tomorrow and all taking part were using the forum as a means to make a difference to the future of not only young people, but for all Queenslanders.
“I look forward to receiving feedback and key messages at the end of the day and also during debrief sessions we will have in the coming weeks,” Mr Pitt said.
“This input will be forwarded to both the Youth Violence and the Ice-Breaker Strategy Taskforces and other areas of Government for serious consideration to help shape policies and strategies that can reduce alcohol and drug abuse by young Queenslanders.
“Today’s forum illustrates the State Government’s commitment to listen to and work with young Queenslanders to help create safe, valued and empowered communities.”
February 28, 2007
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 3235 4280, Joe Begley 0408 701 379
In his opening address, Premier Peter Beattie welcomed about 60 representatives to the meeting, including members of youth and community organisations, churches, State Government agencies, local councils and secondary school students.
“Too many of our young Queenslanders who are making their journey into adulthood are having their lives ravaged by drug and alcohol abuse,” Mr Beattie said.
“This forum is an important way my Government can listen to what young people have to say about their problems and the very real challenges that alcohol and drugs pose for them,” he said.
“Having young people engage with Government on different levels gives us a better insight into how we can together tackle this very real community problem and come up with solutions that have every chance of working in the communities that need them the most.
“The young people taking part today are sharing their stories and I want to thank them for their contributions and for speaking openly about drug and alcohol abuse.”
Today’s MC is Young Queenslander of the Year and Young Australian of the Year Tania Major. Presentations throughout the day will be given by young people from the Brisbane Youth Service, Zigzag Young Women’s Resource Centre, Indigenous Youth Health Service, Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Service, Gold Coast Drug Council and Narangba Valley State High School students.
Other key speakers include Youth at Risk Alliance Director Shane Beacall, and Victorian Youth Substance Abuse Service Executive Director David Murray.
Minister for Communities and Youth Warren Pitt said the one-day Premier’s Forum on Young People, Alcohol and Drugs was focused on developing prevention and early intervention strategies for at-risk young people.
“As the Minister for Youth, and the Minister for Communities, I am very passionate about the issues that are being canvassed at the forum,” Mr Pitt said.
“In my role as co-chair of the Queensland Government’s Youth Violence Task Force, the link between alcohol, drugs and violence has become all too clear,” he said.
“Having a sound understanding of all of the issues involved is essential if we as a Government – and as a community – are to develop effective strategies to address the problems that present themselves.”
Mr Pitt said the forum participants included the leaders of tomorrow and all taking part were using the forum as a means to make a difference to the future of not only young people, but for all Queenslanders.
“I look forward to receiving feedback and key messages at the end of the day and also during debrief sessions we will have in the coming weeks,” Mr Pitt said.
“This input will be forwarded to both the Youth Violence and the Ice-Breaker Strategy Taskforces and other areas of Government for serious consideration to help shape policies and strategies that can reduce alcohol and drug abuse by young Queenslanders.
“Today’s forum illustrates the State Government’s commitment to listen to and work with young Queenslanders to help create safe, valued and empowered communities.”
February 28, 2007
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 3235 4280, Joe Begley 0408 701 379