8 October 2019

Eurobodalla committee taking action on drugs wins funding for youth

| Ian Campbell
Start the conversation
Senior Constable Greg Curry PCYC and Robert Richmond from Eurobodalla Cares Local Drug Action Team. Photo: Supplied.

Senior Constable Greg Curry PCYC and Robert Richmond from Eurobodalla Cares Local Drug Action Team. Photo: Supplied.

The Eurobodalla Cares – Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) has received funding to engage with the region’s young people and set them up for making positive, healthy life choices.

Action Team Chair, Robert Richmond says the investment from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation will “allow PCYC to run another 4000 activities for individuals.”

“We are so pleased to partner with PCYC to run these excellent programs and in particular with Senior Constable Greg Curry who does such outstanding work far beyond his normal duties.”

The programs include:

Fit For Life – an early intervention program designed to engage youth 10 to 17 years who are at risk of poor choices and anti-social behaviour. Through physical fitness, nutrition and social activities.

Fit For Life aims to improve the overall wellbeing as well as prevent and divert youth from offending behaviours.

Fit Together – is a co-designed program developed with each local community to prevent and reduce reoffending, as well as encourage positive relationships with the local police and the Aboriginal community.

Fit Together aims to instil confidence, increase self-esteem and help Aboriginal youth reach their full potential.

Fit For Work – is a program designed to holistically address a young person’s disengagement from their family, education and employment opportunities, to help reduce and prevent their involvement in anti-social behaviour.

“The LDAT has also been able to get $2500 funding for valuable sporting equipment for PCYC,” Mr Richmond says.

The Eurobodalla Cares – Local Drug Action Team is a community-owned organisation. “Our aim is to support and work together with the community to prevent and minimise harm caused by alcohol and other drugs,” Mr Richmond says.

“Our LDAT aims to help create a healthy, strong, resilient and connected community by promoting a better understanding of why people use drugs and alcohol and to minimise the damage caused to users, their families and to the Eurobodalla community.”

The Team includes people from Katungul Aboriginal Corporation, Coordinare PHN, Ice Turning Family Pain Into Power, Eurobodalla Shire Council, NSW Police, Moruya Rotary, Hope House, Red Cross and others.

Coming up on Wednesday, October 30, the LDAT is hosting a community forum in Moruya with Dr Bosco Rowland from Melbourne’s Deakin University.

“This is a very important day for the Eurobodalla,” Mr Richmond says.

Deakin leads a drug and alcohol education and prevention program called Communities That Care, which has been operating in 12 sites across Australia since 2002 with outstanding results, according to Mr Richmond.

Dr Bosco Rowland, Deakin University. Photo: Supplied.

Dr Bosco Rowland, Deakin University. Photo: Supplied.

Dr Rowland will present the latest data from CTC sites and share his expertise in real-world public health problems.

“Communities That Care has the potential to build capacity in the Eurobodalla,” Mr Richmond says.

“To support youth well-being and prevent health and social problems. The benefits of this program flow through to whole community.

“There are no CTC sites in NSW – could the Eurobodalla be the first?

“Using the CTC framework the whole Eurobodalla community – not just singular organisations or government departments become the drivers of change.

“Imagine being able to mobilise a whole community to create a more healthy, resilient, strong and connected community.”

The forum with Dr Bosco Rowland is open to the public; Moruya Golf Club, Wednesday, October 30, 1 pm to 3 pm.

For more information contact Robert Richmond – [email protected] or 0407 211 087.

Start the conversation

Daily Digest

Do you like to know what’s happening around your region? Every day the About Regional team packages up our most popular stories and sends them straight to your inbox for free. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.