The Director of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at UNSW, Professor Michael Farrell today welcomed the Government’s commitment to drug and alcohol research through the investment of $24 million in research funding over the next three years.
The core funding provided to the national centres, to AIHW and to the National Coronial Information System has played a pivotal role over the past 25 years in mapping trends in drug and alcohol use in Australia and crucially in providing an evidence base for prevention and treatment, he said.
“Much has been achieved particularly around reducing the harms associated with illicit drug use,” said Professor Farrell. “But this funding recognises that there are huge challenges ahead in tackling the health and social costs of alcohol misuse, emerging chemical substances, substance abuse among indigenous and marginalised groups and an ageing cohort of illicit drug users in treatment.”
The strong evidence base provided by research puts us in a much better position to develop appropriate policy and clinical responses to drug and alcohol problems which conservatively costs Australia $66 billion a year, he said.
“Equally there are great opportunities in extending the reach of prevention and treatment through the growing body of evidence around internet based treatments and increased understanding of how to effectively reach disadvantaged groups,” said Professor Farrell.
Crucially the funding provided by the Government is core funding which gives centres the infrastructure to attract further funding through the NHMRC and other granting bodies. For example, for every dollar the government provides to NDARC, it attracts another four dollars in competitive grants from other sources, significantly increasing the amount of money available to tackle alcohol and other drug issues, said Professor Farrell.
For more information about the three centres see:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr12-mb-mb056.htm
