National Drug and Alcohol Awards

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

Principal Sponsor

Major Sponsor

Supporters

Collaborating organisations

Local Melville DVD project in the running for national award

The City of Melville’s DVD, 6, is a finalist in the Excellence in Prevention section at the National Drug and Alcohol Awards

6 is a DVD-based program designed to improve the capacity of young men aged 15-25 to deal with emotional health issues typically faced by their age group. The program is delivered utilising peer group discussion and has been developed for use in any group setting, such as schools, institutional establishments or less formal outreach services.

By creating an environment which encourages young men to talk openly about emotional problems, the program supports the development of life skills such as problem solving and coping skills amongst boys.

City of Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said it was an honour to be nominated for the award:

“It is fantastic acknowledgement of a very ambitious project by a local council,” he said. “A lot of work was put into funding and producing the 6 DVD resource, which has proven successful in connecting with young men. Since the DVD’s release last year, we have sent copies to more than 500 schools and organisations across Australia and New Zealand to be used as health and educational resource.”

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. They aim to support and encourage people working to prevent drug problems in Australia. 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. Winners will be announced at the Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne, on Friday 27 June 2008.

“As a nation we lose about $1.2 billion and 7.5 million working days due to the effects of alcohol abuse alone” says Wesley Noffs, Chair of the NDAA 2008.

“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. Tackling the devastation brought on by drug and alcohol abuse are thousands of dedicated professionals, researchers, organisations and volunteers. These Awards go some little way to recognising the fantastic, innovative work they do. We applaud them.”

Sponsors of the awards are the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation (Principal sponsor), Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Department of Health and Ageing, VIC Department of Human Services, VIC Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and NSW Department of Health.

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

To interview the finalist please contact Charlotte George or Johanna de Wever on 03 9278 8122 or 0432 915 383. For more information about the National Drug & Alcohol Awards go to http://www.drugawards.org.au/

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