MPs salute Budget suicide, drugs initiatives

United Future MPs Judy Turner and Paul Adams today applauded the Government's announcement that this year's Budget will specifically address the issues of drug abuse and youth suicide.

"This is a step in the right direction on both of these issues, which are often connected in the most tragic way," Mrs Turner, United Future's drugs spokeswoman, and Mr Adams, the youth affairs spokesman, said.

The Budget will include 15 community action initiatives to help combat the effects of cannabis and other illicit drugs, and funded to the tune of $2.55 million.

The Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy will receive an additional $150,000 in 2003/4 and 2004/5, plus an extra $75,0000 next year.

The total over the next four years for prevention and support programmes in both areas is $2.6 million.

"It's a good start," they said. "But there is still a huge amount to be done."

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