A PLAN for a drug rehabilitation facility within the Greater Bunbury area is gaining local support but South West MLC Adele Farina has called on the government to act on the issue as a matter of urgency.
WA Substance Users Association Bunbury coordinator Bj Richards spoke about his business plan for a local rehabilitation facility at a community forum earlier this month.
Mr Richards said the idea had been met with praise and support but there was still work to be done to shape the plan to fit the community’s needs as well as attract a funding source.
Ms Farina raised concerns last week that the state government had still not addressed the South West’s drug addiction issue.
She said it was ridiculous that mental health minister Helen Morton had recently talked up plans for mandatory rehabilitation when there was nowhere to send addicts in the region.
“The minister has said her proposal is not yet ready to go to the cabinet but the reality is there is a desperate lack of rehabilitation facilities, especially in regional WA, which seriously limits the options available to support people to overcome their addictions,” Ms Farina said.
Mrs Morton said the draft WA Mental Health, Alcohol and other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025, released for public consultation in December 2014, includes reference to the development of a new alcohol and other drug residential treatment and rehabilitation service in the South West by 2017.
She said the final plan was currently being finalised, and expected to be released in the coming months.
Collaborative work would then proceed on developing the business case for the new service.
If you need help, contact the Bunbury-based South West Community Alcohol and Drug Service on 9721 9256.
