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Council to Help Tackle Binge Drinking

Adelaide City Council, in partnership with Encounter Youth and SAPOL, has been successful in receiving $151,000 grant from the Federal Government’s National Binge Drinking Strategy.

Announced today by Minister Mark Butler, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, the funding is part of the Community Level Initiatives and will be used for the Green Team West End Project to engage young people and reduce binge drinking and its associated risks.

The Project will start around April and will run in the city’s West End for 48 weeks of the year, from 11pm Saturday nights to 6am Sunday mornings. Young volunteers will work with the Police, Council and the community to provide information, positive role modelling, triage referral assistance and engagement products such as wallet cards, bottled water and temporary tattoos.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said the money will go a long way in helping alert young people to the risks of excessive drinking.

 “Council is committed to working with the Police, the community and Encounter Youth to tackle binge drinking and alcohol-related injuries or incidents,” Stephen said.

“This grant will mean we will be able to roll out the Green Team West End project to get a strong message out about safe partying choices, responsible drinking and the importance of personal safety when on a night out.”

“What we want to see is people having a great time and enjoying what the city has to offer – without being vulnerable or violent – have a good time, not a drunk time.”

The program will aim to target over 500 youths and is expected to help reduce crime and medical intervention statistics both in terms of the number of incidents and severity of cases. Council staff will manage the Project including implementation, evaluation, reporting, financial acquittal and steering committee coordination.

Encounter Youth are well known for their work in managing the Victor Harbor Schoolies Operation. Their Green Team volunteers will be there to assist young people who are lost to get home safely or need assistance from Police or ambulance services.

Encounter Youth Director Nigel Knowles is looking forward to the opportunity in furthering the work they do with South Australian young people and seeing a reduction in binge drinking.

“Encounter Youth and our fantastic Green Team volunteers are committed to bring about positive change in the community. We want to build on the great reputation and rapport we have with young people and support them to make positive choices in relation to drinking alcohol and socialising,”

This project is part of the West End Safety Trial, a collaboration between Council and State Government, to improve the safety and amenity of the West End.

The National Binge Drinking Strategy was launched by the Australian Government in March 2008 to address the binge drinking epidemic among young Australians.

For further information about alcohol-related health issues visit http://www.alcohol.gov.au/

 

Image by Wesley Hellyer 

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