National Drug and Alcohol Awards

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

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Category Sponsor

Supporters

Collaborating organisations

Alice Springs-based Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk (SAID) initative ‘finalist’ in National Drug and Alcohol Awards

The Alice Springs-based Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk (SAID) has been selected as a finalist in the 2007 National Drug and Alcohol Awards for reducing the harmful impact of alcohol and other drugs at the community level, and supporting victims of substance abuse.
One of three finalists in the Excellence in Law Enforcement category, SAID has achieved unprecedented cross-border cooperation between police services in South Australian, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory, as well as with remote Indigenous communities in the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands.

SAID highlights not only its effectiveness as a law enforcement initiative, but also the harmful effects of substance abuse.

Since its inception in January 2006, SAID has been embraced for its work by a wide range of supporters, in particular the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council.

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/

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