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 Macarthur Square Project for parents ‘finalist’ in National Award for Excellence in Drug Prevention

Youth Solutions’ Parent Links Peer Education Project, based in Macarthur Square, New South Wales, is a finalist in the Excellence in Prevention section at the National Drug and Alcohol Awards

Parents are generally recognized as some of the most influential people in a child’s life. This community project embraced peer education as a valuable tool in drug education, and sought to educate young people about alcohol and drug use, by initially educating their parents. Parent Peer Educators conducted informal, unstructured group discussions, handed out resources and advice at events, participated in activities drawing on popular cultures as well as encouraging spontaneous everyday conversations with friends, acquaintances, family or even strangers about teenagers, drugs and alcohol.

The six active Parent Peer Educators have become volunteers for Youth Solutions and are supporting the Service in the development, implementation and evaluation of campaigns and appropriate activities. For more information about the project, or parents, teenagers and drug use go to http://www.youthsolutions.com.au.

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 in Sydney on Friday 22 June 2007 at a gala dinner 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.

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)

“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.”

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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