Monday, 9 July 2018

Metropolitan and regional community groups are playing their part to tackle ice abuse in Victoria, thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government through the Community Ice Action Grants.

Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing, today launched the next round of grants, part of the Labor Government’s Ice Action Plan, to help curb ice abuse across Victoria, which affects everyone – from the breakdown of families and communities to increased hospital admissions and assaults on first responders.

The Community Ice Action Grants provide recipients with up to $10,000 each to create initiatives that will help prevent and reduce ice related harm in their own communities. Over the past three years, 38 grants have gone to services across Victoria including health services, sporting clubs and local safety committees.

Past grant recipient, AFL Gippsland has already implemented successful community initiatives.

The Victorian Budget 2018/19 invested a record $259.9 million in alcohol and other drug services. This budget includes ongoing implementation of the $87 million Drug Rehabilitation Plan released last year, and builds on the Ice Action Plan to help save Victorian lives and help people access treatment when they need it, where they need it.

As well as doubling the number of residential rehab beds in Victoria from the previous Liberal government, the Labor Government is cracking down on dodgy rehab providers, introducing new regulations, which will require all private overnight residential withdrawal services to operate in a registered hospital.

Applications for the next round of Community Ice Action Grants are now open, with groups across Victoria invited to apply for funding to tackle ice abuse. More information about the grants can be found at ice.vic.gov.au/safer-communities.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing

“The use of ice is taking a terrible toll on our communities. Initiatives like the Community Ice Action Grants will support community groups to come up with their own ways to educate people on the dangers of ice.

“Every local community is different, and we’re proud to be supporting groups to respond to ice through strategies that they think will work for their area.

“We’ll continue working with great community groups like AFL Gippsland to take action and make a difference to people trying to tackle their ice addiction.”