Sunday 18 November 2018
An elected Liberal Nationals Government will expand the successful Community Ice Action Grants program giving communities in the Murray Plains electorate and across Victoria more opportunities to implement community solutions to tackle the scourge of Ice.
Figures from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission show Ice use is rising in regional Victoria.
But under Daniel Andrews cuts to Community Ice Action Grants mean fewer groups and organisations are able to access this funding.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said a Liberal Nationals Government will boost the Community Ice Action grants providing an extra $1 million over four years.
“Community groups and organisations that want to make a difference are missing out under Labor’s reduced program” Mr Walsh said.
“Only a Liberal Nationals Government will deliver more effective rehabilitation options and better awareness campaigns for young people and the community to help people get off drugs and get their life back.”
Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy said it was critical to provide more support to help Victorians get off drugs and get their lives back.
“Local people know their community best which is why we’ll support more local ideas to help Victorians struggling with addiction or most at risk with an expanded Community Ice Action Grants program” Ms Kealy said.
“We’ll also broaden the approach to alcohol and drug rehabilitation with improved access to support to help people get clean and stay clean.”
A Liberal Nationals Government will help more Victorians particularly in regional Victoria get off drugs and get their lives back adding up to 60 new residential rehabilitation beds across regional Victoria at new centres in Mildura Warrnambool and the Latrobe Valley.
We’ll also establish a new $4.8 million Get Clean Stay Clean”˜step”“down’ support program for drug and alcohol rehabilitation agencies to deliver local programs to help people who have completed residential rehabilitation to re-establish their lives and transition back into their local community.
The Liberal Nationals will also introduce mandatory residential alcohol and drug treatment for young people whose offending or risky behaviour is a result of substance abuse.