A free event in Wollongong will share insights about the drug and alcohol challenges faced by the region's Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community.
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The free interactive 'Alcohol and Drugs: One Family's Story' event will be held at Wollongong Town Hall on Wednesday, May 5.
It comes as statistics show that a quarter of Illawarra residents were born overseas.
But when it comes to alcohol and drugs, CALD communities face barriers like shame, discrimination and stigma when seeking help and treatment.
A spokesperson for Illawarra's CALD Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) said although use of alcohol and drugs is lower in CALD communities, some are at greater risk of experiencing alcohol and drug related harm.
"This may be because of the challenges experienced when adjusting to a new cultural environment and low levels of health literacy," the spokesperson said.
LDAT works with Healthy Cities Illawarra to prevent and reduce the harm of alcohol and drugs within our CALD communities.
Dianne Woods, a health education officer in Drug and Alcohol at Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, says "Issues with alcohol and drugs can develop in any family. Increasing our awareness of alcohol and drugs and the support that is available helps us support family or friends in our community when they need help".
The free interactive event on May 5 will be held without judgement or stigma.
A panel of experts will discuss the impact of alcohol and drugs through a cultural lens, what families can do and what support is available
To register for the event visit Eventbrite, https://adpanel.eventbrite.com.au or call Healthy Cities Illawarra on 4283 8111.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
