Media Release: NEW COUNCIL TO PROVIDE ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY ADVICE

FROM THE MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH

DATE: Sunday, December 16, 2007

NEW COUNCIL TO PROVIDE ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY ADVICE

The Brumby Government has established a new high-level policy group to provide ongoing guidance about existing and emerging alcohol and drug issues.

The Victorian Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council will be chaired by Professor Jon Currie, the Director, Addiction Medicine and Mental Health, St Vincent’s Hospital, and will advise the Brumby Government on strategies to reduce alcohol and drug abuse.

Mental Health Minister Lisa Neville said that in recognition of the seriousness of alcohol misuse, the Premier’s Drug Prevention Council has been revamped and will re-convene as the Victorian Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council and begin operating early next year.

“The Council will play a key long term role in providing expert advice to the government about preventing drug and alcohol abuse, commission research on prevention issues, help the government to improve its prevention efforts and allow for a greater focus on high-level policy advice and strategic partnerships,” Ms Neville said.

“The Council will focus on partnerships with organisations that play a role in preventing people from taking drugs, including local government, research agencies, treatment and medical personnel, and law enforcement, community and sporting groups.

“The Council will also assist in implementing one of our key election commitments - the development of a four year alcohol and drug abuse prevention strategy.

“The Victorian Alcohol Action Plan (VAAP) will inform the development of alcohol policy and to outline a whole of Government plan including current and future initiatives in Victoria.”

The new council will report to the Minister for Mental Health. The Premier and the Minister for Health will have a strong connection to the Council, and will refer matters to and seek advice from the Council.

Ms Neville said initial priorities for the VDAPC will include;
Prevention of binge drinking
· identifying best practice in preventing alcohol bingeing;
· achieving the right balance between regulation and prevention;
· identifying clearer roles for schools and youth organisations in equipping young people with strategies to say no;
· encouraging greater awareness of the differential alcohol content of products; and,
· better support and guidelines for parents who host parties for young people.
Advice on supply of alcohol to minors
· advice to Government on regulatory options including the pros and cons of legislation to prevent secondary supply to minors;
· support and information to parents about their children's introduction to alcohol; and,
· advice on awareness campaigns for licensees to prevent sale to minors.
Links between cannabis and mental health
· guiding the Government campaign targeting young people, about links between cannabis and mental health; and,
· advice on how to tackle cannabis use among specific groups.

Attached: Profile of Prof. Jon Currie and Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council membership

Professor Jon Currie
Chair
Victorian Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council

Professor Jon Currie is a neurologist and Director of Addiction Medicine, Health Service Demand and Mental Health, and Aged Care and Allied Health at St Vincent's Health in Melbourne.

Before coming to Melbourne, Professor Currie spent over ten years as Director of Drug and Alcohol Services with Western Sydney Area Health.

Professor Currie has a longstanding interest in the neurobiology of addiction, the acute and chronic effects of alcohol and other drugs on brain function, and translation of basic neuroscience and neurobiological research into effective clinical treatments for addiction.

In addition to Professor Currie’s standing role as a member of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Research and National Health Committees, he is also the Chair of the NHMRC’s Working Committee to Review the National Alcohol Guidelines.

The other members of the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council are:
· Adrian Anderson - General Manager, Football Operations, Australian Football League
· Abdiaziz Abdi Farah – Somali Community Representative
· Steven Francis - Policy manager, Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues
· Bernie Geary - Child Safety Comissioner
· Margaret Harding - Drug Court Magistrate, Dandenong Magistrate’s Court
· Todd Harper - CEO, VicHealth
· Shelley Mallet - VicHealth Public Health Research Fellow
· Frank McGuire - Publicis Communication
· Justin Mohamed - Director Academy of Sport, Health and Education - University of Melbourne
· David Murray - CEO Youth Substance Abuse Service
· Robin Room - Director of the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, Turning Point
· Tracey Slatter - CEO, Shire of Colac Otway
· Wendy Steedam - Crime Strategy Group, Victoria Police
· Bill Stronach, CEO - Australian Drug Foundation
· Kerry Walker - Director, Neighbourhood Justice Centre