Sergeant Bill Alford, Councillor and pharmacist Jason Hosemans and an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson will speak about issues resulting from drug use and alcohol consumption.

New Crime Statistics Agency figures showed drug crime detection had increased by 77 per cent in the Northern Grampians Shire. 

Most recently, police and the dog squad discovered 2kg of cannabis, 104g methyl amphetamine and 8.25g heroin valued at $100,000 at a Stawell home last month.

The forum was organised by Stawell Church of Christ and organising committee spokesman Terry Dunn said these issues needed to be addressed. 

“These problems have attracted a lot of interest from within the Shire,” he said.

“The event will feature an interesting and informed array of guest speakers.

“Sergeant Bill Alford will speak about policing issues associated with drugs and alcohol in the region, while Jason Hosemans will speak about prescription drugs that can become addictive, as well as the occurrences of prescription drugs being modified so components can be used in the manufacturing of illegal substances.”

Mr Dunn said a drugs and alcohol councillor from Grampians Community Health will also talk about the road back from “what is often the depths of despair for friends and families of addicts”. 

“Often it is the loved ones that are forgotten sufferers,” he said.

“But support is always available to those who require it.”

Mr Dunn said drugs and alcohol abuse in younger people was a grave concern. 

“According to a recent discussion I participated in, drug and alcohol problems are now not uncommon in our primary school aged children,” he said.  

“We should all be concerned at a very deep level.

“Just ask a paramedic or police officer and they will tell you of the trauma they often see and face when assisting a person under the influence of substance abuse.”

Stawell Church of Christ will host the forum at 7pm.