FDS Insight Newsletter Jul-Sep 2020

1 I NSIGHTS OUT he COVID-19 situation has certainly played havoc with everybody’s activities all over the world, and Family Drug Support is no exception. We have had to postpone many of our planned activities including volunteer training, Stepping Stones, Stepping Forward courses and most of our Support Groups. As I am writing this the Government is slowly easing restrictions in Australia and we are hoping that by July most things will be back to normal. However, it is important to access the website www.fds.org.au to find the most up to date information and if activities are going ahead. It is critical that we continue to adhere to social distancing and hygiene protocols. At this point in time we are uncertain if we will be able to hold the Remembrance Ceremonies on or around July 21. We are very committed to holding our normal ceremony and again we request you check the website for the most up to date information. On a more positive note our Chairperson John Della Bosca was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (AM) for his services to NSW Parliament, disability services and drug support. John was a pivotal person at the 1999 NSW Drug Summit. That summit was a turning point for drug policy and of course we saw the opening of the Kings Cross Medically Supervised Injection Centre. It was also the funding for the many new projects including recurring funding for FDS. John’s leadership cannot be underplayed and we are forever grateful for his efforts. Congratulations to John – very well deserved. As I write we have just received news of another Australian under the threat of execution. The death penalty is no answer to drug problems and surely it is time to change the fundamentals on how we deal with drugs. We wish Australia could take the lead in more progressive and less punitive drug policies; we could really be a leader in our region. Tony T T