$7m allocation for support services MORE than $7 million in funding has been released for extra support services to reduce the harm caused by the drug ice in the region. Member for Northern Victorian Jaclyn Symes announced the funding last week as part of a total package of $24.6 million to expand treatment services, support families and strengthen communities across Victoria under the Ice Action Plan. The money will consist of $1.2 million to Northern Victoria Alcohol and Other Drugs Consortium partnership with the Salvation Army and Mind Australia (Bendigo) for nonresidential rehabilitation, as well as $10,000 Community Ice Action Grants for the Northern District Community Health Service in Rochester, the Elmore District Health Service, the Macedon Ranges Local Safety Committee and the Bendigo Safe Community Forum. A further $200,000 in family support funding has also been granted to Primary Care Connect, Goulburn Valley catchment, Gateway Health Hume catchment, and Bendigo Community Health Loddon Mallee catchment. The government also plans to spend $18 million in the next four years to treat an extra 500 Victorians with ice addictions each year. The funding will expand innovative rehabilitation services for people living in rural and regional communities and in metropolitan growth areas. Another $4.7 million will be spent over four years to expand support services for families coping with ice use, and a new family drug education program to help families recognise when someone has a drug problem and how to support them to get treatment. A total of $1.8 million in one-off grants will also be available for the 20 busiest needle and syringe programs in the state, while Heathcote and local community groups can also apply for a share of funding to help tackle the ice problem in the local area. We know the damage ice can inflict on communities, not just in my electorate of Northern Victoria, but across Victoria, Ms Symes said. The Victorian Governments $45.5 million Ice Action Plan is about supporting families, communities and individuals battling with this highly addictive drug. Different people need different kinds of drug treatment. What is important is to engage the local community of northern Victoria so together we can develop local solutions for local problems with the assistance of the Victorian Government. This funding ensures families and communities have the support services they need, when they need them and it will help to reduce the terrible impact ice is having on Victorian families.