The Buttery has received funding under the National ICE Action Strategy from the Commonwealth Government totalling just over $225,000 over two years to run the Young People’s Alcohol and other Drugs Early Intervention Program in these three locations from April 2017 to June 2019. NCPHN’s Director Mental Health Reform, Dr Megan Lawrance said the new free program for young people aged 12 to 24 filled an identified gap in health services. “The funding was made available because of a need to give young people living outside of major centres better access to appropriate alcohol and other drug counselling and to referral services that will make a difference to their lives. “The program will work closely with headspace Grafton when it opens in September, and local high schools, as well as employment, housing and primary health care providers. It will provide much needed treatment and support for young people experimenting with, and misusing alcohol and other substances,” she said. The Buttery CEO John Mundy said that the program would ensure evidence-based support and treatment for at risk young people. “We are pleased to provide this program to young people in smaller centres. It includes responsible and personalised treatment plans and focuses on supporting increased resilience to the things in their lives contributing to their alcohol and drug use “It also offers a single point of contact for families and carers to find support and information. Importantly, the program is delivered using non-judgemental and culturally aware framework which promotes inclusion.” The intervention program will also provide support, consultancy and training for youth workers in the social services sector. ABOUT NORTH COAST PRIMARY HEALTH NETWORK (NCPHN) We work alongside community members and health professionals to improve access to well-coordinated quality health care. Our aim is to work together to transform the healthcare system and reduce health inequities. Our work begins by gaining an understanding of health care needs of the North Coast. This needs assessment involves our community, clinicians and service providers and is available for all to use. We use this information to work with health professionals and community members to find gaps and facilitate local solutions. We do this by commissioning services – this is a new way of all of us working together to design services that best meet our community’s needs. Our priorities are

1. Better mental health and emotional well-being
2. Closing the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
3. Improving our population’s health and well-being
4. Building a highly skilled and capable health workforce
5. Improving the integration of health services through electronic and digital health platforms
6. Improving the health and well-being of older people

For more information, go to: www.ncphn.org.au