Port Pirie LDAT: Game On

Over 200 community members attended Game On, which aimed to expose youth and the community to alternative, non-traditional activities of social inclusion, something not previously experienced in the local area. During Game On, participants were vying to become the inaugural winners of the Nyrstar Cup for the FIFA Soccer challenge and the Northpoint Cup for the fastest car race time on the day. Winners and runners up also took home cash and voucher prizes.

Representatives from Mighty Kingdom, an Adelaide based game development company, were also on hand to speak directly with participants about career pathways in game development, design and programming.

The event went ahead thanks to generous sponsorship from Nyrstar, Northpoint Ford and Hyundai, Country Arts SA, Intersport, Autopro, Repco, Homeflair Furnishings, SD Caputo & Sons, Virtus Soccer Club and Magic 105.9.

An opportunity for education

“The event was a great opportunity for members of the community to learn more about the work we are aiming at doing to prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug-related harms in the local area,” said Brett Finlay, Australian Red Cross worker and Port Pirie LDAT member who led the Game On project.

“In addition to this, we have been overwhelmed with positive feedback received from attendees or their family members who were thankful for an alternative engagement activity in which they, or their children, could enjoy and feel a part of.”

This activity enabled the Port Pirie LDAT to engage and consult with the community about drug and alcohol concerns in their region which will help inform the team about future primary prevention activities and planning.

Local knowledge key for healthier communities

The Port Pirie LDAT is a partnership between Uniting Country SA and multiple support service agencies in the Port Pirie region. The team is currently delivering on objectives from their Community Action Plan, which has a focus on youth and young adults in building their knowledge, their self-worth and sense of community connection to help them avoid the negative impacts of drug and alcohol use.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Erin Lalor, said the Local Drug Action Team will play a key role in building a healthier community.

“The Local Drug Action Team Program empowers community partnerships to use local knowledge and build evidence-informed activities to prevent alcohol and other drug related-harms at a grassroots level,” Dr Lalor said. “Supporting communities to be at the heart of the solution is critical if we are to address alcohol and other drug-related harm.”