A YOUTH forum aimed at educating local kids about the dangers of ice has been canned after one year, following challenges securing funding.
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The forum was one outcome from the defunct Ice Action Group established by former deputy premier Troy Grant and chaired by local MP Kevin Anderson.
Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) chairman Peter France told The Leader the youth drug awareness forum wouldn’t be going ahead in 2018.
“Funding for those sorts of things is fairly difficult to come by,” he said.
It’s not fair on the community to start something that’s not sustainable.
- Drug and alcohol counsellor Peter France
Mr France, a Tamworth-based drug and alcohol counsellor, said it was disappointing to lose the event for the year and hoped it could be replaced in some form.
He said the forum was initiated through the state government, which didn’t come back to the party.
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“I think it was unfair to presume community could take up the slack,” he said.
“It’s not fair on the community to start something that’s not sustainable, all too often in rural areas we’re used to seeing initiatives that look good for elections or political gain.”
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the forum was a great success and hoped it could be continued.
Mr Anderson said the first program was funded with a “one-off grant” and a non-government organisation should apply for funding to revive the drug awareness drive.
“I’d fully support an organisation that would like to run that event,” he said.
“I’m constantly thinking about ways get on top of problem.
“As a father of teenage kids, it’s something I’m deeply concerned about.”
Tamworth anti-drug advocate Tracey Filicietti said someone needs to make it happen again.
“We did have youth in event in 2017, it was handed to a community group, nobody that took it up which was really sad,” she said.
“We need to find a group that’s proactive and has the time and energy.”