MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia is pleased that its work in Indonesia fighting drug abuse has been
recognised by the Indonesian Government, the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary
Secretary, Mrs Chris Gallus, said today.
The Indonesian Government has presented the Indonesian National Golden Award
to the Australian Government's international development agency, AusAID,
for its work in helping to prevent and control drug abuse in Indonesia.
'HIV infection rates amongst Indonesian drug users have tripled to 48
per cent in the last four years,' Mrs Gallus said.
'Australia's development assistance program is now providing
Indonesian health professionals with specialised training,' Mrs Gallus
said.
'Training for non government organisations and community groups is also
slowing the spread of the disease through intravenous drug use.
'Drug Information courses in Indonesia and Australia are helping
Indonesian professionals and community leaders establish prevention programs
and study the impact of drug abuse on the health of the whole community,'
Mrs Gallus said.
'Australia is also assisting Indonesia develop research skills to more
accurately determine the extent of Indonesia's drug problem.
'Our support is significantly helping the development of Indonesian drug
policy and a drug information system.
'The Australian Government is strongly committed to fighting the spread
of HIV/AIDS in the Asia Pacific region and we have more than doubled our
funding - to $600 million by 2010 - to combat the virus,' Mrs Gallus
said.
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mrs Gallus' office) 02 6277 4840 or 0408 680 442
Dominic Morice (AusAID) 02 6206 4220 or 0417 683 126