The City of Greater Dandenong recently launched two websites featuring information about drugs and community safety, local programs and services, and all the latest drug and safety news. Both sites include interactive features such as role plays and the opportunity for users to ask a question or tell their story.
Extensive research showed that Greater Dandenong residents want more knowledge about drugs and safety. They want information about what to do in various situations, how to get help, and what the Council is doing.
The sites are designed to specifically reflect these needs.
“For most people, the primary source of their knowledge had been debates in the media about issues such as injecting facilities,” said Mayor Paul Donovan. “There is strong agreement that greater information and awareness could make a real difference to the way in which the community responds to drugs and safety issues. In many instances, Council has teamed up with local police, neighbourhood watch, and other community groups to deliver joint programs across the city. We haven’t done this alone. We’re trying to get the best possible solutions for our community, and that means working together and drawing on everyone’s expertise.”
Chairperson of the Victorian Premier’s Drug Prevention Council, Peter Maher conceded that we don’t yet have any answers to the drugs problem, but congratulated the Council on taking the initiative to develop these sites.
“We need to spend time and effort on looking at why people take drugs,” he said. “The cause is certainly more important than the effect. At the end of the day, we at least have something to evaluate and determine the success of this type of initiative.”
The new sites can be accessed via Council’s homepage at www. greaterdandenong.com. For further information contact Kylie Sprague, Council’s Media and Communications, on (03) 9239 5359.
