Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall is encouraging non-government organisations working in the drug and alcohol sector in the region to lodge an expression of interest for funding from the state government’s new Early Intervention Innovation Fund.
The fund, which was recently launched by the Assistant Minister for Health Pru Goward, will provide $8 million over four years to build the evidence base for early intervention models to support people at risk with a particular focus on young people using drugs.
Mr Marshall said that it was a great opportunity for NGO’s in the Northern Tablelands electorate to develop new and innovative ideas to increase and improve early intervention services for young people in the community.
“I encourage NGO’s within the community to apply for these grants so we can reach out to young people in our community and prevent them from going down the path of addiction,” Mr Marshall said.
“There’s not a community in our region that isn’t being impacted by the effects of drugs on individuals and families.
“This fund is one component of the government’s record investment in drug and alcohol services and shows our commitment to investing in evidence based services that will make a real impact in stopping drug abuse before it happens.”
Assistant Minister for Health Pru Goward said the government was building a system that empowers non-government organisations to intervene earlier and work with young people to identify the early intervention services that they respond to in order to stop them from becoming addicted to drugs.
