Pubdate: Thu, 15 Feb 2001
Source: Border Mail (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 Border Mail
Contact:  http://www.bordermail.com.au/
Author: Nicola Melville

PROBLEM ONLY SOLVED BY WORKING TOGETHER

FURTHER to the debate emerging on these pages regarding the Community 
Drug Forum.

I wish to respond to both Mr Jacobs' and Mr Ryan's (The Border Mail, 
February 14) views and strongly refute the suggestion that this 
approach is biased towards any single model of combating drug abuse.

Just to get the facts straight, the organising committee includes 
bi-partisan representation from education and prevention, law 
enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation providers.

The evening community forum will include local presentations from 
each of these perspectives and also include a view from a community 
representative with first-hand experience of drug issues on the 
Border.

Prof Margaret Hamilton, as the executive director of Turning Point, 
the peak provider for research, training and clinical practice around 
drug issues in Victoria, has been asked to give the keynote address.

We have requested her address be based on the facts and figures here 
and internationally, and asked her to give examples of some 
strategies that appear to be working at a community level.

Following the keynote and local addresses, the workshop groups will 
allow open discussion and written recommendations as to strategies 
and further actions that will address the issues for our local 
communities.

Every participant at the forum will be part of these workshop groups.

The whole concept of this forum is as a starting point for community 
debate and action.

As a committee we are very aware of divergent views around the issue 
of drug use and abuse, but are united in saying loudly that any 
progress in preventing, controlling and treating drug problems will 
only be achieved by working together, not by having a narrow or 
single-strategy approach.

Finally, I would like to commend The Border Mail on their 
well-balanced, sensitive and comprehensive editorial and journalistic 
coverage of the issues to date.

"Drugs in our community" is a topical subject attracting many diverse opinions.

It is for all of us to respect diverse views and to work together on 
these issues for our region.

NICOLA MELVILLE, Chief executive officer, Upper Hume Community Health Service
- ---
MAP posted-by: Kirk Bauer