DRUG KIT TO GET FAMILIES TALKING

A Positive Starting Point

In the wake of the Sydney drugs forum, federal member for Cunningham
Stephen Martin yesterday launched a drug awareness kit designed to get
Illawarra families talking about drugs.

The MP said his Wollongong Drug Awareness Kit had been designed
specifically as a resource for families.

Ensuring the well-being of young people was a key obligation of a
decent society, Mr Martin said.

``Providing information and talking openly about social concerns like
drugs is the best way to arm our children against crime and poor
lifestyle decisions.''

He said the drugs forum was a visible sign of a new approach by
governments and a positive step to ensuring drugs were approached
sensibly, not referred to in hushed and confusing tones.

The drug awareness kit contains information about problem substances
as well as preventive measures designed to stop children becoming
involved in drug taking. It also lists people and places who can help
with further information and assistance.

It will be circulated to schools, youth centres, community and other
interested groups in Wollongong.

Mr Martin said the information was not exhaustive, but he hoped it
would provide a starting point for families keen to discuss drug issues.

Approaching drug problems with a broader view than just one of
"crime'' had been a long time coming, he said.