Website launched to reduce impact of drugs

A new national website designed to assist councils to address the impact of drugs and alcohol in their communities was launched by Hobart Lord Mayor Rob Valentine in April. The new site – Local Government Alcohol and Drugs Info Net (LGADIN) – aims at building and improving the capacity of Local Governments to reduce the harm of drugs and alcohol.

"Local Government plays a significant role in shouldering the burden associated with the use of drugs and alcohol in our communities," the Lord Mayor said.

In his role as The Chair of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors, Rob Valentine said this was the first time in Australia that Local Government has a dedicated website to assist councils improve their response in this area.

"The site at www.lgadin.gov.au is home to everything any council in Australia needs to help them manage drug and alcohol issues in their communities," he said. "It provides a one stop shop of information on upcoming events, the latest news and a discussion forum for councils to participate in knowledge sharing.We envisage LGADIN becoming a primary tool, an essential component for councils in Australia to obtain the latest thinking, examples of clever initiatives operating in Local Government and important information on funding opportunities and legislative changes."

Lord Mayor Valentine acknowledged Federal Government funding through its Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy to construct the website.

"The LGADIN is a product of Federal Government engagement with Local Government to help reduce the impact of drugs and alcohol in our communities.By empowering councils, we are able to contribute towards reducing the impact that drugs and alcohol have on families, businesses and communities."