Pubdate: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 Source: Illawarra Mercury (Australia) Copyright: Illawarra Newspapers Contact: http://mercury.illnews.com.au/ FIRST STEPS IN ANTI-DRUG WAR THE anti-drug initiatives announced in Wollongong yesterday by NSW Health Minister Craig Knowles as part of the Government's response to the drug summit are long overdue in this region. Like every other regional and rural area of Australia, the Illawarra has not been immune from the pervasive and devastating effects of illegal drugs with existing services overwhelmed by the problem. The Government has announced it will spend an extra $158million over the next four years in anti-drug initiatives that target drug dealers, get more users into treatment and educate the community, particularly young people. Mr Knowles announced the Illawarra would be one of two areas in the state to trial a scheme aimed at intervening before drug users became entangled in the legal system. First-time offenders caught with small amounts of illicit drugs could be cautioned and counselled under a new program that would involve face-to-face involvement of both the young user and parents in a bid to break the cycle of drug abuse and crime. Clinical services will be expanded and mobile community outreach teams will be set up in northern Illawarra and Shoalhaven areas. The third local initiative will see more intensive treatment and assessment of inmates with drug problems in police cells at Wollongong Police Station. There is little expectation such initiatives will rid the community of the drugs menace completely, but even the longest journey requires a first step. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea