National Drug and Alcohol Awards

Celebrating Australian achievements to prevent
and reduce alcohol and other drug use and harm

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Pharmacy Guild of Australia Selected as ‘finalist’ in 2007 National Drug and Alcohol Award for Law Enforcement

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia in Canberra has been selected as a finalist in the 2007 National Drug and Alcohol Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement.

The Guild’s initiative — Project STOP — was developed to provide pharmacists with a decision-making tool aimed at preventing the use of pseudoephedrine-based products to manufacture methamphetamine, commonly known as ICE.

The introduction of Project STOP in Queensland in October 2005 was seen as being a major factor in reducing the number of known clandestine laboratories from 210 in 2004–05 to 160 in 2005–06.

In addition to this preventative effect in Queensland, Project STOP had by February this year (2007) also directly resulted in the location of seven clandestine laboratories, 26 arrests, 14 Notices to Appear, two drug diversions, and a total of 267 changes.

Project STOP enhances the ability of pharmacists to identify and where appropriate, deny the sale of pseudoephedrine to “pseudo-runners” — people who go from pharmacy to parmacy stockpiling packets of pseudoephedrine-containing medications for the sole purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine.

In cooperation with the Australian Government, the Guild will be rolling-out Project STOP in every Australian jurisdiction during 2007.

The winner of the Excellence in Law Enforcement Award will be announced on June 22, 2007 in Sydney at a gala dinner to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel.

“Every day of the week I see the ravages of drug and alcohol abuse on good Australians and their families. As a nation we lose about $1.2 billion and 7.5 million working days due to the effects of alcohol abuse alone. The emotional cost of drug and alcohol abuse to families includes domestic violence, suicide, depression, plus health issues such as brain, liver and heart damage. To meet the devastation brought on by drug and alcohol abuse are thousands of dedicated professionals, researchers, organisations and volunteers doing work that is world leading throughout all States of Australia. These Awards go some little way to recognizing the fantastic, innovative work they do with such passion and conviction. We applaud them,” says Wesley Noffs, Chair of the NDAA 2007 Awards.

“It is a great privilege to support the national alcohol and other drugs sector in celebrating the achievements of their unsung heroes, said Daryl Smeaton, CEO of the AER Foundation. As the major sponsor of these awards, AER congratulates all the winners, finalists and nominees.”

The National Drug and Alcohol Awards are a collaborative effort of the Ted Noffs Foundation, The Australian Drug Foundation, The Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia and the Australian National Council on Drugs.

It is estimated around 10,000 Australians now work directly in drug and alcohol treatment across Australia with a further 8,500 in associated sectors.
Sponsors of the awards are the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation (Principal sponsor), the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (major sponsor); Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training (major sponsor) and NSW Health — ActNow (supporter)

To interview the finalist please contact Sam Hunt on 02 6122 8600. For more information about the National Drug & Alcohol Awards go to http://www.drugawards.org.au/