Parents are being urged to have a conversation with their kids about drugs in a pamphlet that has been mailed to homes in the Tamworth electorate.
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The pamphlet, dedicated to ice-awareness, has been re-released as Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson renews his focus on drug education.
The re-release of the pamphlet follows the Raising the Awareness forum held in the city this month, which aimed to educate Year Nine students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
The event saw key speakers travel from across the country for the event which is believed to be a national first. One of those speakers was reformed addict turned educator, Luke Kennedy, who spoke to the teenagers about his experience.
Mr Anderson said it was timely to issue the pamphlets so parents could be informed on the issue like their children were.
Hopefully the brochure is a conversation starter for families and others in the community.
- Kevin Anderson
“I felt it was important to remind the community how to talk about the dangers of drugs and help educate them on how to best to help someone they know who may be using,” he said.
“I’ve provided an update to the community about the Ice Action Group and made sure we remind the community to do what they can to help fight back against drugs in our community.”
The pamphlet was developed in consultation with government agencies including NSW Health and the Department of Health and ageing.
It encourages members of the community to report illegal drug-related activity in the electorate to police or Crime Stoppers.
“Hopefully the brochure is a conversation starter for families and others in the community,” Mr Anderson said. “The fight against drugs requires a whole of community approach, any ideas that the community have to help the cause are always welcome.”
Mr Anderson said education was one of the keys to preventing the ice and drug scourge from spreading further into the electorate.
“I’m currently working with my state parliamentary colleagues to see our education program rolled out more broadly,” he said. “Whilst we’re working hard on this issue in our local area, we need to see the same level of action across the state and the nation.
“I am really drawn to the education and prevention side of the fight. I believe we have an obligation to the young people in our community to get in early and give them the best chance at a real future without drugs. We’re continuing to see our local police making progress with the crackdown on supply and manufacturing which I will continue to ensure they have the resources to do.”