THE Country Women's Association is doing its bit to break the drug problem in the Western region by providing $277,874 to the Salvation Army for drug and alcohol support.
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The generous donation is a case of the CWA talking the talk after raising concerns about the impact drugs and alcohol are having on regional communities, NSW CWA president Tanya Cameron said.
"We're happy we can put our money where our mouth is. I love the saying. We have been vocal about a lot of services that are lacking in the bush and that's always been our aim and objective, to fix that inequity that exists," Ms Cameron said.
"We can get this project up and running and show that the need is there for these services to be provided.
"Hopefully this donation will not only raise awareness of the problem and create that incentive for government to pick up the funding of these programs, but also help people suffering with addiction and alleviate some of the concern in the community about how to deal with addiction."
The funding will allow a two-year pilot program and it will include support, assessment and educational services for those who are caught in drug and alcohol addiction but also their families, so they can understand what is going on.
Salvation Army Recovery Services operations manager Gerard Byrne said similar programs in other regions had proved successful.
"It's really innovative of the CWA to look at funding such a service. I can't think of another situation where you have one not-for-profit organisation funding another not-for-profit organisation," he said. "Access to services in Country NSW is difficult and I think it's great the CWA has recognised that and is putting resources there to help people in rural communities.''
Salvation Army Lieutenant Mark Townsend said his organisation would be well placed to identify and help those in need.
"Sometimes people don't present to our office saying they need drug an alcohol support. It might be that bills have gotten out of control or some relationship problems but what lies behind that is substance abuse," he said.
"When we come into contact with people and understand that drugs and alcohol are playing a part in their circumstances, we are in a better place to refer them to the help they need."
