Alcohol action initiatives

Since early 2016, the focus of work with remote communities has been the development of Alcohol Action Initiatives (AAIs), which are community driven projects that develop local solutions and practical actions to reduce alcohol related harm.

The AAI program provides short term funding to support community action to minimise the harm caused by the consumption of alcohol through demand and harm reduction strategies.

Funding is available to communities that have participated in alcohol harm minimisation planning processes.

AAIs can be as large or as small as a community wants, and are agreed to at the community level through local governance processes.

Alcohol action initiatives are designed to:

  • Reduce alcohol related harms specific to each community and address one or more of the following:
    • Demand reduction: - changing individual attitudes, personal knowledge and behaviours to drinking alcohol and changing the community’s tolerance of irresponsible and risky drinking.
    • Harm reduction: - reducing harms to individuals and the community through influencing safe drinking choices and drinking environments and providing interventions that prevent further harms.
  • Improve community safety and wellbeing of individuals, children, families and communities
  • Improve school attendance
  • Support community capacity building and enable communities to own and drive their AAI
  • Support leadership and governance of the AAI on the ground in the community

For more information about AAIs email AAISystems.DoH@nt.gov.au

Alcohol Action Initiatives (AAIs) examples

  • Ali Curung Youth Leadership and Development
  • Alice Springs Youth Substance Misuse Program
  • Alpurrurulum, Elliott and Ali Curung School Holiday Programs
  • Borroloola Young Men’s ‘Wise-up’ camp
  • Jilkminggan Youth Voices, Reducing alcohol harm Smartphone messaging
  • Kakadu AOD education project Djibdjibdji College
  • Karslake Youth Culture camp
  • Maningrida Cultural Engagement and Diversion Youth activities
  • Pirlangimpi Fathers and Sons Bike Project
  • Tennant Creek Youth Diversion Pilot

  • Ali Curung Safe House upgrade
  • NT women’s Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) forum
  • Borroloola Sports Project
  • Elliott Early Intervention programs
  • Katherine district women and alcohol workshops
  • Lajamanu Strong Women’s workshops
  • Nauiyu Daddirri Deep Inner Listening AOD Workshops for Women
  • Nhulunbuy, Yirrkala, Gunyangara Safe Strong Sober Program
  • Palumpa Women’s Centre Dilly Bag and Healing Project
  • Yuendumu and Yuelumu AOD Women Leaders

  • Borroloola Men’s Shed Project
  • Elliott Men’s Shed Project
  • Kakadu Stronger Fathers Group
  • Lajamanu Strong Men’s Health Workshops
  • Maningrida Expansion Strong Safe and Sober program
  • Nauiyu Men’s Health and Men’s Shed Fire pit
  • Nhulunbuy AOD Diversion
  • Wugularr, Barunga, Jilkminggan Strong Bala Healthy Bala
  • Wurrumiyanga Men’s Shed Construction Project
  • Yuendumu and Yuelumu AOD Male Leaders

  • Borroloola Grief, Loss and Trauma Training
  • Lajamanu Supporting Safe Families
  • Laramba AOD Education and Awareness program
  • Ngukurr Sport and Recreation AOD Diversion
  • Ti Tree AOD Education and Awareness program
  • Tiwi Islands ‘Tour de Tiwis’ Bike Race
  • Wadeye TV-Alcohol and Safety commercials
  • Wugularr Sports Equipment AOD Diversion
  • Yirrkala and Gove Peninsula Yolgnu –social media for school attendance

Highlighted Alcohol Action Initiative projects

Wugularr, Barunga and Manyallaluk community members participated in Healthy Craft Alcohol Action Initiative workshops delivered by Katherine artists Toni Tapp Coutts and Jayne Nankivell.

This creative health project explored the negative impacts of alcohol in the region. Participants felt comfortable using art to talk about ways to reduce risky drinking behaviours and improve community safety. From these discussions, grew healthy messages participants wished to promote within the community.

These messages were spray-painted onto repurposed car bonnets and doors, along with stencilled banners designed for exhibition at youth events and the Barunga Festival. Feedback was very positive and has led to requests for more community art projects.

Alcohol Action Initiatives are identified through community consultation and funded through the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch, using resources available through the National Partnership Agreement on Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment.

A nutritious cooking program enticing young Borroloola students back to school. This Alcohol Action Initiative promoted healthy lifestyles, relationships and positive interactions whilst reducing alcohol and drug related harm.

Borroloola Community Education Centre and Roper Gulf Regional Council staff engaged school aged children in home economics activities which include; kitchen safety, hygiene, nutrition and equipment skills, along with basic menu preparation and cooking.

The outcomes of the program have been described by community members as outstanding, with around 20 participants involved weekly. Keen interest and momentum from the program resulted in the establishment of a fresh herb garden in an unused part of the school grounds.

Participants were proudly involved in cooking meals for community activities including the school holiday program, gaining lifelong skills that are useful at home and improve employment prospects through enhanced school attendance and vocational skills.

Alcohol Action Initiatives are identified through community consultation and funded by the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Branch, using resources available through the National Partnership Agreement on Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment

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