Australians and New Zealanders who continue to misuse drugs and alcohol have a much higher chance of getting caught up in violent attacks, engage in reckless behaviour and putting themselves and others at risk, says Jon White, CEO of ANZPAA, the agency that serves Police Commissioners in both countries.

Mr White was speaking out today in support of the 2011 Drug Action Week, an initiative of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) with funding support from the Department of Health and Ageing.

“Drug Action Week is about getting the whole of community involved in creating healthier and safer communities. If we are to achieve much-needed cultural change, we must all play our part,” says Mr White.

DAW 2011 was launched at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday, 14 June by the Federal Member for Fraser, the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, along with a keynote address from the Patron of ADCA, Professor Ian Webster and ADCA President Professor Robin Room.

The national initiative involves a week of activities to raise awareness about alcohol and other drug issues in Australia. It also provides an opportunity to promote the achievements of those individuals, organisations and communities who work within the alcohol and drug sector to reduce alcohol and drug-related harm. The theme for this year is ‘Looking after YOUR Mind’. Activities for DAW begin in all States and Territories on 19 June and will run through until Saturday, 25 June.

“There are known links between drug and alcohol misuse and the risk of offending, teenage pregnancy, truancy, exclusion and illegal drug misuse among younger generations. These issues continue to be an ongoing concern for police, emergency services and health departments, who are often stretched when dealing with and responding to the effects of drug and alcohol abuse,” says Mr White.

The impact of drugs and alcohol on peoples’ behaviour has been a focus of a number of police operations, including the most recent trans-Tasman ‘Operation Unite – A blitz against drunken violence’.

Each year, a diverse range of groups across Australia join ADCA to speak out about alcohol and other drug-related issues to raise awareness. Police will continue to demonstrate their united efforts to improve community safety and reduce drug and alcohol related harm.

ENDS

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