$36.4 million pilot to target Indigenous alcohol abuse
Published Friday, 26 October, 2007 at 04:22 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
A landmark $36.4 million pilot program to cut the cycle of alcohol misuse is about to be rolled out by the Queensland Government.
The new Queensland Indigenous Alcohol Diversion Program was jointly announced today by Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and Member for Cairns Desley Boyle.
“This is a significant whole-of-government initiative which is being piloted in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton, with support going into the Indigenous communities of Yarrabah, Palm Island and Woorabinda,” Ms Nelson Carr said.
“It’s another plank in the government’s commitment to help people break the cycle of alcohol abuse and crime,” she said.
“It’s a three-year pilot for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with alcohol misuse issues who are involved in the criminal justice or child protection systems.
“It’s a whole-of-government program involving Indigenous people who, as part of their bail conditions or as a component of a child protection order, are referred to an alcohol treatment program.”
The Queensland Government has allocated $36.4 million to the pilot, including $4.5 million from the Department of Communities to manage a supported accommodation component.
Ms Boyle said Indigenous people were over-represented in the child protection system and the criminal justice system and this program would give them real, practical help to get back on track.
“Some people need help to deal with their alcohol problems before they can sort out other parts of their lives,” Ms Boyle said.
“We want to keep families together wherever possible and for many people, this program will be an important first step toward that.”
Ms Boyle said the Addiction Help Agency would receive more than $1.6 million over three years to support participants from Cairns and Yarrabah and to establish and operate the accommodation side of the program.
“The Addiction Help Agency has a solid history of helping people in the Cairns region,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Agency will provide short-term, supported accommodation for people in the program who are homeless or don’t have a suitable place to stay.
“Staff will be available around-the-clock to support them and make sure they develop the skills to get by on their own.
“They will cover everything from counselling to cultural activities, helping them into education or training and parenting skills.
The program runs for 20 weeks and when fully-operational will have 32 places for people in Cairns and Yarrabah.
Media Contact: Desley Boyle: 4051 2868
Minister Nelson-Carr’s Office 3235 4280
The new Queensland Indigenous Alcohol Diversion Program was jointly announced today by Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and Member for Cairns Desley Boyle.
“This is a significant whole-of-government initiative which is being piloted in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton, with support going into the Indigenous communities of Yarrabah, Palm Island and Woorabinda,” Ms Nelson Carr said.
“It’s another plank in the government’s commitment to help people break the cycle of alcohol abuse and crime,” she said.
“It’s a three-year pilot for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with alcohol misuse issues who are involved in the criminal justice or child protection systems.
“It’s a whole-of-government program involving Indigenous people who, as part of their bail conditions or as a component of a child protection order, are referred to an alcohol treatment program.”
The Queensland Government has allocated $36.4 million to the pilot, including $4.5 million from the Department of Communities to manage a supported accommodation component.
Ms Boyle said Indigenous people were over-represented in the child protection system and the criminal justice system and this program would give them real, practical help to get back on track.
“Some people need help to deal with their alcohol problems before they can sort out other parts of their lives,” Ms Boyle said.
“We want to keep families together wherever possible and for many people, this program will be an important first step toward that.”
Ms Boyle said the Addiction Help Agency would receive more than $1.6 million over three years to support participants from Cairns and Yarrabah and to establish and operate the accommodation side of the program.
“The Addiction Help Agency has a solid history of helping people in the Cairns region,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Agency will provide short-term, supported accommodation for people in the program who are homeless or don’t have a suitable place to stay.
“Staff will be available around-the-clock to support them and make sure they develop the skills to get by on their own.
“They will cover everything from counselling to cultural activities, helping them into education or training and parenting skills.
The program runs for 20 weeks and when fully-operational will have 32 places for people in Cairns and Yarrabah.
Media Contact: Desley Boyle: 4051 2868
Minister Nelson-Carr’s Office 3235 4280