Committee Members

Major Brian Watters AO
Former Vice President, INCB (UN)

• Arts Degree from Newcastle (NSW) University, majoring in Medical Sociology.  
• Qualified Psychiatric Chaplain and trained at Newcastle University in Addictions Counselling. 
• In 1998 he was appointed by Prime Minister John Howard as The Chairman of the Australian National Council on Drugs, the peak Drugs Policy Advisory Body to the Australian Federal Government. 
• A member of the National Board of Drug Arm Australia; 
• Board Member of Drug Free Australia;
• Member of the Leadership Council of International Substance Abuse and Addiction Coalition.
• Past President of the N.S.W. Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies with a Membership of more than 100 Agencies.  
• Served on the N.S.W. Health Minister’s Drug Advisory Council.
• In 2005 he was elected by ECOSOC to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) of the United Nations – based in Vienna.
• In 2007 appointed Vice President of the INCB

Josephine Baxter
Executive Officer

• 2008-present - Vice President, World Federation Against Drugs
• 2009-present - Member of the International Task force on Strategic Drug Policy
• 2007-2010 - Member of the Australian National Council on Drugs
• 2003-2007 Community Services and Health Consultant - (Drug and Alcohol) 
• 2004-2005 - Community Relations Manager – Odyssey House Victoria
• 2002-2004 - National Director – Programs and Training, Life Education Australia, NSW
• 2001-2002 - Project Manager, Offshore Licensing (India & Bangladesh), Centre for International Education and Training
• 2000-2001 - Chief Executive – Life Education, SA

Overseas Project Experience:

• 2008 to present, Vice President, World Federation Against Drugs and Member of the International Task Force on Strategic Drug Policy
• 2007 – Conference presentation, ICAA Conference, Stockholm
• 2004 – Conference presentation, Tobacco Control Conference, Helsinki
• 2003 – United States of America – AER Foundation Research Scholarship, ‘Life Skills Training’, Cornell University, USA
• 2001-2002 – Bangladesh and India – Program Manager, Offshore Licensing, Centre for International Education and Training, TAFESA
• 1999 - United States of America – OTFE Research Scholarship – ‘Learning Organisations and Life Long Learning’.
• 1999 - United States, Europe and Ireland – established credit transfer links and articulation arrangements for international students and staff exchanges
• 1997 – Florence, Italy – Curriculum Designer – William Angliss Institute
• 1983-84 Malaysia – Orientation Counsellor, United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Kuala Lumpur.

Mr. Gary Christian
Specialist Researcher – AOD and Community Health

Community Interests:

• 1980-1988 - Coordinated the Eastern Suburbs Five Day Plan to Stop Smoking
• 1986-1987 - Co-writer of the Quit Now Stop Smoking Program
• 1999 - Co-founder of the Cabramatta ADRAcare Centre for drug dependent and homeless people of the area
• 2000-2003 - President of Hassela Australia Teen Drug Rehabilitation program
• 1992-2009 - senior management in the Australian welfare industry
• 2003-present - Research Director, Drug Free Australia

Mr. Herschel Mills Baker
President - APFDFY

Community Interests:

• 1999 Parent Drug Education Courses: Mary River Lions Club Seminar; Quota Club; Baptist Church, Hervey Bay
• Block Coordinator of Neighborhood Watch
• Member of Police Liaison Committee
• Member of Blue Light Disco Committee (Security)
• Member of Maryborough Police Youth Association (Treasurer)
• Project Manager for establishing PCYC at Maryborough
• Project Manager 5 year Operation Road Runner, 1991 -1996
• Project Manager for 5 year Road Runner 2
• President and Founding Member of Australian Parents for Drug Free Youth, since 1986
• Coordinator for APFDFY Education Web Site, since 1997
• Facilitator for Drug Stop
• Member of Tough Love
• 1986-present - DFA Researcher and Publications Director focussing on  Cannabis Harms

Committee Member

Jay Bacik was elected to the Drug Free Australia Board of Management in November 2015, having been a Fellow, since inception. He worked with Life Education for over 10 years, having held positions of Chief Executive Officer for Life Education Australia and Life Education NSW.

MINISTRY
Jay was ordained in the Ministry of the Churches of Christ in NSW in 1969.  He has had ministries in Wollongong, Telopea and Crows Nest (Northside Community Church).  He originally trained in theology and communications.  

MEDIA

Jay has had over thirty years experience in media involving radio and television.  He was the Director of Religious Programs at Radio 2CH on behalf of the NSW Council of Churches where he was also the Sunday night talkback host for 15 years and presented motivational spots every day.
He has done significant talkback for 2GB and most recently filled in as talkback host for 2GB on Sunday nights.

COMMUNITY
Jay has worked in Australia for Austcare as Assistant National Director, was founder of the Sydney City Mission Foundation and was Special Projects Director for Diabetes Australia, NSW.  His overseas experience includes Greater Minneapolis Day Care Association and was recently Vice President of Hope International University in Fullarton, California.   

He is a frequent speaker at conferences and conventions.  His passions in life are transforming communities, Cricket, Rugby League, international news and Politics.

He is the author of two books "Day Starters" and "Make Your Day".