More than $267,700 has been awarded to 14 Northern Territory organisations to reduce youth substance abuse under the Alcohol and Other Drugs Youth Grants program.
One success story includes a $20,000 grant awarded to the Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation to run two bush trips and a Family Fun Day which attracted 120 community members in Pupunya last year.
Both bush trips included activities on country and NT Health Remote AOD workers to discuss the risks of alcohol and drugs to young people.
The grants will support a diverse range of diversionary activities including art, sporting and bush camp programs.
Alcohol and Other Drug Youth grants are up to $20,000 each and complement a suite of strategies to tackle substance abuse and make our communities safer.
Eligible applicants were required to be based in the Territory and demonstrate how their proposal was linked to the National Drug Strategy and or the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Drug Strategy.
There will be further grant funding opportunities with the next round expected to open in September next year.
Quotes from Health Minister Natasha Fyles:
"The Territory Labor Government is working hard with community stakeholders to support effective programs targeted to bring down youth substance abuse.
"Grant funding is being delivered to organisations in all parts of the Territory including the Top End, Barkly, Big Rivers, East Arnhem and Central Australia.
"This program has delivered a long list of success stories and I look forward to seeing further progress into the future."
