Drugs not a rural problem- survey

Despite recent speculation about substance abuse problems in rural areas a recent survey conducted by innovative community web portal OurPatch.com.au : Regional Australia Online has revealed that only 23% of rural Australians believe that there is a greater problem with substance abuse in rural areas compared with the city.

Director of OurPatch.com.au Simon van Wyk says: “Whilst most people believe there is a lack of good education available in rural areas most people believe that when it comes to drugs the same warnings and education is made available.

51% of people believe that because drugs are less available in regional areas contributes to containing the problem. People also believe that drugs don’t become an issue for many rural youth because: the country promotes a healthy lifestyle (29.4%), because there is a greater emphasis on work life balance (24.5%), because country people have a greater sense of moral responsibility (23.8%) and because there are less stresses (15.2%).


“Reports of severe substance abuse problems in certain rural areas is alarming and cannot go un-mentioned despite the overall reputation of drugs in rural areas being relatively good. Many account drug problems in the country to a number of problems including: a lack of choice in other activities to take part in, because there are greater problems with depression in rural areas, because there is more spare time in the country and because country youth are under less supervision.


“Whether they are living in the country or the city, youth have to be kept occupied and have their minds must be stimulated to keep them out of trouble. Many country communities have excellent sporting, recreational, entertainment and educational facilities in place which perhaps sets their youth aside from those rural areas which have a problem with youth substance abuse,” van Wyk concluded.

For more information or for an interview with Simon van Wyk

please contact Gemma Sims at Markson Sparks Publicity on

02 9775 7000 or gemma@marksonsparkspr.com

Ourpatch: Regional Australia Guide
26/37 Nicholson Street,
Balmain, NSW, 2041
(02) 8256-5888

About Ourpatch: Guide to Rural Australia
Australia’s most comprehensive and compelling network of local small business-focused, hyper-local websites.National platform of community websites for local users that deliver services to local business and community to all country towns.Provide community and career networking for australia regional employment.Providing the people with tools to build and rate a local business or restaurant about Regional Australia.Find local businesses. Be part of your community- the Ourpatch Guide to Rural Australia.OurPatch Orange is your complete community guide to Orange NSW.

This release was published on openPR.