Helping Families Affected by Drug Abuse

Eighteen organisations across the country, working with families affected by substance abuse, will receive a $3 million boost over the next financial year as part of the National Illicit Drugs Strategy Strengthening Families program.

Harmful drug use by one person within a family can have disastrous health and social consequences for other family members. Substance abuse can wreck lives and destroy families and has far reaching implications for the broader community.

The personal cost to families from substance abuse can be devastating often resulting in mental health problems, domestic violence, chronic illness and social isolation.

The Australian Government is increasing funding to support children affected by their parent’s drug abuse, people trying to deal with a partner’s drug abuse and adolescents who are abusing drugs and whose drug use is affecting their siblings.

The funding will also help grandparents who find themselves raising grandchildren because the children’s parents are abusing drugs.

Services to be provided under the new funding include parent education, counselling, advice, therapeutic group programs, case management and services specifically targeted to the needs of Indigenous families. They aim to improve the personal and collective resilience of family members. The Government is committed to making sure that effective support services are available to those who need them.

The increased Government funding will support 18 non-government organisations across all States and Territories.

The Strengthening Families program concentrates on supporting stronger families. Some services target specific local areas and others have a State or national focus.