DrinkWise Australia and Red Dust now have a 3 year partnership agreement to support our Red Dust Alcohol Education & Community Liaison Program.
DrinkWise Australia is an independent not-for-profit organisation focused on promoting change towards a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia. Their vision is to improve the drinking culture so that consuming alcohol too young and to excess is considered undesirable. Their activities aim to affect generational change in the way all Australians consume alcohol. DrinkWise achieve this vision through national information and education campaigns.
It is commonly acknowledged that the Indigenous population in Alice Springs (and those living in town camps) are among the most at risk Australians in terms of the adverse affects related to the harmful levels of alcohol consumption. Red Dust is committed to collaborative partnerships which lead to improving individual and community well-being.
The Red Dust Alcohol Education & Community Liaison Program program involves regular (usually weekly) and flexible ‘yarning circle’ style meetings of 1-2 hours within a safe and supportive environment for Aboriginal men and also students in Alice Springs secondary schools.
The Red Dust Alcohol Education & Community Liaison Officer has adapted this structure when facilitating Aboriginal men’s groups both in Alice Springs Town Camps and in remote communities
The aims of this partnership include:
- The increased awareness around harms of alcohol use/misuse – physical, emotional, cultural/spiritual and financial
- The increased awareness around history of alcohol and Aboriginal peoples
- Referral opportunities for further support (primary health care or health promotion)
- Avoidance skills and strategies to support abstinence, harm minimisation and safety
- The practical management of money skills
Red Dust is looking forward to achieving some great results as part of this program. We are grateful for the support from DrinkWise Australia that enables this program’s success.
To make a donation that will directly support the Red Dust Alcohol Education Program click here.
