Results in, help needed

Results of a Wimmera Drug Action Taskforce community survey indicate drinking culture is among residents’ main issues of concern in relation to alcohol and other drugs.

Taskforce leader Sally Pymer said the results showed some respondents found drinking culture a turn-off for joining sporting clubs.

“It has been suggested because alcohol is legal, and so well accepted in society, it is easy to abuse without people asking questions,” she said.

“Other significant concerns regarding drugs involved the harms associated with methamphetamines, with suggestions many families were being detrimentally affected.”

The findings are a result of a taskforce community survey, open to residents across April.

One hundred and nineteen people responded to the survey.

Sixty percent of responses were from parents, with 62 percent having children under the age of 12.

“This supports informal discussions between WDAT members and parents of primary school-aged children, with many concerned about alcohol and other drug issues,” Mrs Pymer said.

“Seventy-three percent of respondents knew of the WDAT and were aware the taskforce provides community education and awareness around alcohol and other drug issues.

“When asked what the WDAT should do, people suggested more work on drug prevention including work in schools, sporting clubs and with parents.

“Providing information on parent role modelling and forums for parents and teenagers were also suggested.”

Mrs Pymer said people also suggested the taskforce advocate for more rehabilitation centres.

She said 74 percent of respondents suggested there was not enough alcohol and other drug education provided in the region.

“With multiple responses allowed, 75 percent of respondents suggested alcohol was a big issue in the community, 67 percent suggesting crystal methamphetamine, or ‘ice’, 37 percent cannabis and 23 percent prescription medications.

“Reasons for these responses included the violence and domestic disruption related to alcohol; alcohol being accessible and an accepted drug to abuse; alcohol accepted in the community but this impacting on families and individuals; the norm culture around Horsham being partying and drinking at a young age; peer pressure to drink; people looking for the easy way to cope with problems and issues; and ice ‘tearing’ families apart.”

Mrs Pymer said 69 percent of respondents expressed an interest in attending an alcohol and other drug forum.

As a result of these findings, the taskforce is aiming to create a community action plan for future work.

The WDAT receives no government funding and relies solely on donations from interested organisations to operate.

Up until now this has included funding to employ a co-ordinator two days a week, but this might be reduced in 2018-19.

“Because of this, capacity of the WDAT is limited and many of the suggested community actions might not be possible,” Mrs Pymer said

She said WDAT appreciated 2018-19 contributions from Grampians Community Health, Uniting Wimmera, Wimmera Health Care Group, Horsham Sports and Community Club and Hillross and Consortium Private Wealth.

“We are very grateful, but more is needed,” Mrs Pymer said.

“The WDAT welcomes contributions from any organisation, group or individual interested in supporting this important alcohol and other drug prevention work. Every little bit helps.”

People can call Tim Shaw on 5381 0122 or Sally Pymer on 5362 1200 to discuss making a contribution.