The Drug Education Network´s (DEN) ‘Steps Together´ project aims to increase awareness of the protective factors known to improve the health and wellbeing of children pre-birth to 5 years old. The project´s particular focus is on working with parents, communities, and services providers to reduce the impact of parental alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use on young children.  The project operates in the Northern suburbs of Launceston (Ravenswood, Mowbray, Waverley, Mayfield, Invermay, Georgetown and Rocherlea).

‘Steps Together´ is funded by Communities for Children under the Australian Government Initiative, Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.  

The Steps Together project uses a health promotion and grassroots community development approach to address substance use issues in the Northern suburbs.  Based on community identified need, a range of programs are being delivered locally, these include groups to support parents to reduce or stop smoking;  to reduce or stop other drug use (e.g. alcohol, marijuana); and to learn how to cope with a partner´s or family member´s drinking or drug use.  There are also programs to assist people to learn how to communicate more effectively and develop community leadership skills.  

The project is also working to increase community understanding of safer alcohol use guidelines and standard drink measures; and to identify strategies to prevent or reduce the harms associated with alcohol and other drug use at an individual, family and community level.   Local schools, service providers and community groups are able to participate in education and training sessions regarding alcohol, drug use and pregnancy and how to identify and respond effectively to children and families affected by parental substance use, for example.

The project provides information, resources, and referral on to specialist services via the DEN´s 1300 - 369 -319 telephone help line.  This is available Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, and can be accessed by anyone wanting to know more about alcohol and drug issues, or who are seeking support and assistance regarding their own, or someone else´s drug use.

“Frequent visits by the Drug Education Network project worker and the rapport and trust she has built with parents has resulted in parents coming to view her as someone they can turn to for support and advice if and when they need it” said a community worker from the Northern Suburbs. 

Arising from the work of the project over the last year is the development of Community Care Guidelines.  These guidelines will assist women, parents/family members and service providers identify, and provide effective care and support to those at risk of, or affected by, alcohol use during pregnancy.  The guidelines will be discussed and reviewed during the upcoming “The 1^st National Conference on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Building Community Care,” to be hosted by the DEN in Launceston June 20 to 21, 2007.  It is hoped that the guidelines will be piloted in the Northern suburbs and other parts of Australia over the next 12 months.

For further information please contact Dominique Smith(03 6336 7952).