Representatives from eight Community Drug Action Teams (CDATs) took part in the forum last Wednesday and Thursday at the Bawley Point Bush Reserve.

Registered attendees included volunteers from Goulburn CDAT, Kiama/Shellharbour CDAT, Nowra CDAT, Queanbeyan CDAT, Snowy Monaro CDAT, Ulladulla CDAT and the Wollongong CDAT. 

NSW is home to more than 70 Community Drug Action Teams, which are groups of passionate volunteers leading evidence-based initiatives to prevent and minimise harm from alcohol and other drugs in their local areas.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation senior community development officer Amy Ehsman said the forum was about finding out strengths of programs in their particular communities, as each faced different challenges.

“We’ve discussed ways to improve leadership skills, we’re talking about issues in their community and how we can effectively solve them,” Ms Ehsman said.

Ulladulla CDAT member Troy Pease said the forum helped to gather ideas about what resources were available, what has worked and has not and how CDATs can implement effective ideas from other regions.

Mr Pease mentioned men’s health camps which have been effective for people struggling with isolation and mental health issues in the Milton-Ulladulla region.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation, which manages the NSW Government funded Community Drug Action Teams, was proud to host the forum at Bawley Point Bush Reserve. 

“The forum is a fantastic opportunity for Community Drug Action Teams to form new partnerships or strengthen existing ones, share project ideas and hear about new opportunities to strengthen their community,” the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s NSW Manager, Dr Lisa Simone said.

The NSW Government’s Community Engagement Action Program is administered by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation. The program oversees the coordination and operation of Community Drug Action Teams.

For further details about Community Drug Action Teams, please visit www.adf.org.au/cdat.