The Federal Government has released a new $19.1 million Early Intervention Pilot Program to target underage drinkers in South Australia, with $2.4m available for three police local service areas.

The three sites are to be selected following a feasibility study that will be based on youth demographics and SA Police feedback.

Murray Bridge council acting chief executive officer Kym Miller said the city’s Headspace youth centre would be in a strong position to support a Hills Murray Local Service Area application for the funding.

“The police would have the statistics on incidents that would support their application ... we have a high instance of youth going through the Headspace centre and we’ve got the perfect model to utilise the funding,” he said.

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the program’s goal was to evaluate different styles of intervention that combat youth binge drinking, and to educate on the best methods to turn youth away from alcohol.

Individual treatment plans would then be established by a treatment agency.

Headspace senior youth worker Frauke Hobbs said the centre had a strong focus on working with young people with substance-abuse issues, with binge drinking an area of concern in the Murraylands.

“Binge drinking is common amongst some young people here ... but for some it becomes a pathological issue that’s not just happening on the weekends,” she said.

Mrs Hobbs said the centre would use the funding to expand the reach of their youth support services.

The centre currently implements education, awareness and counselling campaigns at its Murray Bridge site.

Headspace also works with schools, teachers, social workers, police and doctors to support youth with mental health issues that can often be a factor in substance abuse.