Nationals WA candidate launches petition demanding urgent State funding for Albany rehabilitation facility

Albany Nationals WA candidate Delma Baesjou has launched a petition calling on the State Government to immediately fund a residential rehabilitation facility in Albany. In State Parliament last week, Mental Health Minister Roger Cook revealed the McGowan Government had been in “discussions with organisations” to plan for a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation service for the Great Southern. But Mr Cook was still unable to commit to delivering the service if Labor is re-elected in March. “I can certainly confirm that that sort of service is on our radar,” he said in Parliament. The Barnett government’s WA Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Service Plan 2015-2025 identified 16 residential drug rehabilitation beds would be needed in the region by 2025. The plan’s requirement has repeatedly been referenced by the State Government. Mr Cook said in February he expected the Mental Health Commission would plan the beds “in due course”. However in September, neither Labor, the Liberals nor the Nationals WA could commit to delivering the 2015-25 requirement if they formed government at the next State election. Last week, Mr Cook said the Government wanted to make sure it had the “right balance between community services and hospital services”. “All the plans in the WA Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015–2025 are a priority,” Mr Cook said. “That is why we are methodically working through all the priorities associated with that plan to make sure we understand the gaps and ensure that we can meet the demand caused by those gaps and rebalance the system.” Ms Baesjou said the Great Southern needed to see immediate action. “It wouldn’t happen in the metropolitan area, but down here on the south coast we are often forgotten about and left until last,” she said. “There is just no reason it shouldn't be funded well before 2025. Half a decade is just far too long for families to wait, they need help now. There’s no money in the State Budget and no planning under way from Government despite a business case being presented to them and operators willing to move on the project.” Ms Baesjou’s petition calls on the government to “immediately fund, plan and appoint a project proponent” for a residential rehabilitation facility in Albany. The petition has secured more than 400 signatures and Ms Baesjou hopes to receive 1000 signatures before the Nationals WA table the petition in Parliament. The Pennington Institute’s Australian Annual Overdose Report, released in September, showed the Great Southern suffered the most drastic increase in drug overdose deaths in WA outside of Mandurah. Drug and alcohol service Palmerston has been pushing to establish a residential rehabilitation facility in the Great Southern for more than six years. Regional services manager Ben Headlam said a facility should be a higher priority for the WA Government. “There is no denying the need in the Great Southern,” he said. “But the reality is in the Great Southern we are often overlooked. While we are a smaller geographical region and potentially a smaller population, we still see the full spectrum of alcohol and other drug-related issues and we still have the full need. “The need is here in the Great Southern to bring that plan and development of a rehab forward. “Instead of having it at 2025 we would love to see it commencing in 2021.” Mr Headlam said collaboration between local services was key to seeing a facility established. “We are looking to make this a holistic and inclusive service that really meets the needs of all people in the Great Southern who are experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs,” he said. Southern Aboriginal Corporation has been calling for support for a proposed 22-bed drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, located on country, 30 minutes from Albany Regional Hospital. SAC chief executive Asha Bhat said 2025 was too long to wait for a rehabilitation service to be established in the Great Southern. “The health system in WA is failing people with substance addictions,” she said. “Although addiction affects all sections of society, Aboriginal people are disproportionately affected.” Ms Bhat said the organisation recently met with Mr Cook to discuss plans for a culturally safe and secure centre in partnership with other agencies. “Although the Minister recognised the extent of the problem, there have been no promises made so far,” she said. “What will it take for the political leadership in this state to recognise the absence of an addiction workforce and a lack of rehabilitation in our region? More deaths?” For support, call the Alcohol and Drug Support Line on 1800 198 024.