Drug Free Australia considers that a number of the drug prevention initiatives in the first Labor budget are positive, so far as illicit drug use is concerned. These include both demand and supply reduction measures, with additional funding allocated to the Australian Federal Police and Australian Customs.

In addition, steps taken to arrest binge drinking will directly impact on the ‘gateway’ effect of illicit drug use. We are also very pleased that further proactive steps have been taken to support Indigenous communities within the Northern Territory.

Firstly, on the prevention front we are pleased to see a more targeted approach which will be measurable. For instance the National Education Strategy for Illicit Drug Use which will focus on people using ICE (methamphetamines).

We also commend what may finally be a break-through in addressing drug use within our sporting ranks.. It is promising to see that $20.1 million (over 4 years) will be directed into implementing a model framework and code of conduct for national sporting organisations to address the issue of drug use by athletes. Drug Free Australia has been campaigning for this for over 12 months.

Secondly, so far as binge drinking is concerned, the amount being spent ($53.5 million over 4 years) is in proportion to the size of the problem – given that alcohol, as a legal drug, has been made more easily available to a larger cohort of young drinkers for the last 25-30 years. Added to this, the links to alcohol as a ‘gateway drug’ that leads to illicit drug use, is well documented.

Executive Officer, Jo Baxter says that: “While the legal drug alcohol is acknowledged as causing the greatest harm, it is alarming to note that 1 in 7 young people have used the illegal drug cannabis in the last 12 months. Both alcohol and cannabis are known ‘gateway drugs’ and there is scope for greater community education around this issue.’

Thirdly, the budget has taken a practical approach in further supporting the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER). We are particularly pleased with the following three initiatives:

• Investment in Indigenous Night Patrols – which aim to make remote Indigenous communities safer for families and children. The additional funding will enable the continued operation of night patrol services in the 73 communities covered by the NTER.

• Greater resourcing of police services in the Northern Territory with the deployment of 66 additional Australian Federal Police as part of the NTER.

• Increased support for 22 remote communities from a local Aboriginal family and community worker and/or a safe house and a mobile child-protection team based in Darwin will continue to support families in remote communities. We have worked closely with many Indigenous people in the NT who believe that this model is both practical and culturally sensitive.