COMMUNITY LEADERS, SPORTING GROUPS, EXPERTS TO DISCUSS DRUG ISSUES AT FORUM By Thomas Moir Local communities, experts and law enforcement are all groups Labor Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes is encouraging to have their say at the upcoming ice forum, due to take place in Mooroopna next month. The forum is one of 19 to be held across the state. If we want to stop this drug then we have to hear from locals, because they know our community the best, Ms Symes said. We need to get to the heart of the problem and listen to the people who see the impacts of this tragedy every single day. Organised by the Australian Drug Foundation, the Good Sports forums aim to bring together sports club administrators, community leaders and concerned residents and give them information about the drug ice and have a panel discussion. Alongside an ice action taskforce, the Victorian Governments intervention to combat the drug includes $500 000 to establish grassroots action groups across the state and $15 million for new drug and booze buses, while penalties for trafficking ice to school students, publishing instructions to make the drug and allowing the use of premises for manufacturing and trafficking will be introduced. We will with the local community confront this crisis on our streets and at its source, and find solutions that make our communities safer, Ms Symes said. The forum will take place at Sir IanMcLennan Sports Centre, Mooroopna on March 3. For more information about the forum, visit www.goodsports.com.au/ tackletheissue/forums/ Page 1 of 1 09 Feb 2015 Shepparton News, Shepparton VIC Author: Thomas Moir Section: General News Article type : News Item Audience : 8,556 Page: 3 Printed Size: 189.00cm Market: VIC Country: Australia ASR: AUD 727 Words: 280 Item ID: 370550450