Alcohol a leading causal factor behind assaults in Boroondara

Police were called to more than 700 crimes against the person across Boroondara last year, including assaults, and a new drug action team in Kew aims to tackle alcohol and drug related crime.

Alcohol abuse is the main cause of assaults across Boroondara, according to Local Area Commander Inspector Steve Noy.

Police were called to 753 crimes against the person, including assault and related offences, across the council area in the year to last September, Crime Statistics Agency figures revealed.

And there were 294 drug offences in the same period, down from 316 a year prior.

Sex crimes: Rates skyrocket in Stonnington

Registration plate thefts lead to serious offending, police say

Bikie, organised crime links to four Melbourne shooting murders in four days

Insp Noy has welcomed a new Local Drug Action Team called Smarter about Drugs, which will be based at Kew.

To be run by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, it will support communities to work together to reduce drug and alcohol-related harm.

It was prompted by the Federal Government’s National Ice Taskforce, which found a community-led response was crucial.

ADF chief executive Dr Erin Lalor said communities across the country had been clamouring to be part of the initiative, and there were 244 teams Australia-wide.

“The Local Drug Action Team program recognises every community is unique and there’s no one-size fits all solution,” she said.

The program’s activities include peer support, mentoring, education in schools, support for young people and resources for pregnant mums.

Turning Point clinical director Dr Matthew Frei said his organisation, part of Eastern Health, supported an evidence-based approach to community alcohol and drug education, support and treatment.

“We need to minimise the harm of alcohol and drug use in young people and provide information about access to care for those needing treatment,” he said.