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Publish Date : 06-Sep-2014

A successful program that teaches young Victorians about the traumatic consequences of risky behaviour, such as drug taking, is set to expand. Premier Denis Napthine today announced that $1 million would be provided to continue and expand the Prevent Alcohol & Risk-related Trauma in Youth program (P.A.R.T.Y).

“The P.A.R.T.Y. program which is run jointly by the Royal Melbourne and Alfred Hospitals brings students for a full day excursion of an emergency department and intensive care unit, giving them a first-hand experience of the harsh reality faced by victims of traumatic injuries, including those affected by ice use. The program currently provides an important message to 1,000 young Victorians every year about what can happen if you do something foolish, like take drugs and drive,” Dr Napthine said.

The Premier announced new funding to continue the existing programs at the Royal Melbourne and Alfred Hospitals as well as an additional $200,000 for a 12 month trial of the P.A.R.T.Y. program in regional Victoria. “This expansion will allow up to 500 students in regional centres such as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo to receive the same eye-opening, hands on lessons in their own local hospitals,” Dr Napthine said.

Dr Napthine also announced today that Victorian Mental Health services will receive a $3 million boost to help them respond to the increasing presentation of people on ice. Alfred Health will be amongst ten mental health units across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria to each receive $300,000 over three years to better support patients and staff dealing with the effects of ice.

More than 50 per cent of people with a severe mental illness also grapple with a drug addiction, such as ice. Dr Napthine said ice use and withdrawal can induce psychosis and other mental illness leading to violent and aggressive behaviours which can be challenging to manage in mental health inpatient units. “This funding will help ensure that hospital mental health units have the resources they need to deal with these challenges.

“Mental health inpatient staff at Alfred health do a fantastic job dealing with a range of complex issues and the Coalition Government is committed to supporting them in their important work,” Dr Napthine said. “The new funding will give hospitals the flexibility to decide how the new resources will best suit their unique needs, which could include hiring an alcohol and drug specialist, additional training for existing staff, security improvements such as CCTV or infrastructure upgrades.”

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