Early intervention to reduce the risk of substance abuse in Singleton is the first order of business for the revitalised Community Drug Action team.
The need for the program was one of the outcomes from the Youth & Alcohol and Other Drugs forum held at Singleton Youth Venue recently and has been resurrected by council in an effort to provide support and raise awareness locally for young people.
Community Drug Action teams were established in 1999 and have led thousands of activities to engage at-risk youth, educate parents and wider community through activities and campaigns. The initiative is supported by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation and funded by NSW Health.
The latest statistics from the Bureau of Crime Statistics show a 53 per cent increase in amphetamine possession and/or use in the Singleton LGA between 2016-17.
Singleton Mayor Sue Moore said while alcohol and substance abuse is growing problem it is not exclusive to just Singleton.
"It's growing in every area and early intervention is, of course, a key to being able to stop the addiction which rolls on to many other aspects of crime, not just drug and alcohol," Cr Moore said.
Council's Strategy and Engagement Manager Natalie Zagninski said the program will work in partnership with the Red Cross and the Save a Mate program to raise funds to educate young people about keeping themselves and others safe.
"This kind of initiative is especially timely given school end-of-year celebrations are just around the corner and young people are planning schoolies activities.
Other programs on offer under the initiative include Responsible Service of Alcohol, Driver Education and First Aid.
