Community groups join in Drug Action Week 2008 with 550 events across Australia

Drug Action Week 2008 which swung into action on Sunday 22nd of June and finishes on Saturday the 28th of June, has involved schools, colleges, youth organisations, charities and community health groups, police forces and many others across Australia.

It was launched at Parliament House in Canberra by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Jan McLucas on 16th June and features include the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday, 26th June, and the gala presentation of the National Drug and Alcohol Awards in Melbourne on Friday, 27th June.

Drug Action Week is held nationally to raise awareness about alcohol and other drug issues within Australia and in the past illicit drugs have been the main message in anti-drug campaigns.

This year however the focus is on alcohol and around the country events and programmes are taking place which aim to educate the community on the dangers of alcohol.

Community health educators are hoping this Drug Action Week will increase awareness of alcohol abuse and say it is important that alcohol abuse is given more exposure.

Educational programmes have been devised for parents and young people which highlight the dangers of alcohol and police in some areas are also focusing on youth and the problem of teenage binge drinking.

The campaign also aims to highlight the achievements of individuals who work within the community to reduce alcohol and drug-related harm and is an initiative of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA).

ADCA offers individuals, organisations, and communities the opportunity to initiate and coordinate activities that promote awareness of alcohol and other drugs and a record 550 events will take place across Australia during the week.

Fact sheets are available on a range of topics including:- Alcohol and other Drug Use in Sport, Alcohol Use in the Workforce, Alcohol and Indigenous People, Prevention and Treatment, Rural and Regional Australia and Young People.

For more information on events taking place during Drug Action Week 2008 visit the web site at www.drugactionweek.org.au.