Page 645 - Week 02 - Thursday, 14 February 2013
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addressing the harm from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in the Canberra community. It was at the annual ACT alcohol, tobacco and other drugs awards ceremony, a chance to pay tribute to individuals in the ACT who contribute to the health and wellbeing of people affected by the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Although potentially rewarding, this is not a glamorous area to work in. It requires dedication, understanding and a compassionate commitment to the belief that every individual matters and deserves help to overcome their problems. People deserve a chance to start a new page in their lives. By reducing the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs in our community, we benefit individuals, their families and friends, and the whole community.
The 2012 ACT award for excellence in alcohol, tobacco and other drug work went to Bob O’Heir. Mr O’Heir has a long history of involvement working in the sector and is a very valued volunteer. He has served in a range of roles in recent years at Salvation Army recovery services, but has also been very active in supporting the overall sector in Canberra.
This included helping to set up and govern the peak body, the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Association of the ACT. His citation also noted his diverse volunteer work, including coordinating construction of community vegetable gardens, a plant propagation enterprise and a bicycle maintenance facility for tenants of public housing.
Mr Gerard Rees received the lifetime achievement award for almost 30 years of volunteer work in the sector. He was President of Directions ACT for 14 years and has served on its board of management since 1985. He was led to this involvement through being a legal aid solicitor, seeing clients whose lives were affected by alcohol and drug problems. Over this time, he has continued to lobby for harm minimisation and social justice issues.
Dr Tuck Meng Soo received the outstanding contributions award. His work at the Interchange General Practice in University Avenue is known for the compassion he shows to the marginalised and those with serious alcohol or other problems. The practice was named general practice of the year in 2010. He is the lead GP in Australia’s first opioid overdose education and management program and is the alcohol and other drug adviser to the ACT Medicare Local. These are just some amongst a range of achievements.
The late Peter Watney was inducted to the ACT alcohol, tobacco and other drugs honour roll for his volunteer work as an advocate for drug law reform over two decades. Mr Watney passed away in August 2012 but was still involved in the sector until shortly before his death, aged 90.
In 1995 he was a founding member of Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform and was an executive member of the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation. He argued passionately as a respected advocate for evidence-based drug law reform.
Canberrans are fortunate to have these award recipients as part of our community, showing a humane commitment to those struggling with addiction or misuse of
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