Opposition labels residential rehab “no-brainer” but little movement from State Government on the issue

The Great Southern looks likely to remain the only WA region without a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility for some time after the State Government refused to directly address questions about demand for such a facility. The refusal by a State Government spokes-woman comes after Opposition Leader Mia Davies labelled the need for a residential rehabilitation centre in the region “an absolute no-brainer” earlier this month. Speaking during a visit to Albany, Ms Davies said a residential drug and alcohol facility “is something the community has been calling for and the Opposition supports that call”. “We need funds allocated, plans put in place and delivered,” she said. “It is unacceptable that this is the only region that doesn’t have access to this kind of service and there is certainly a need.” Ms Davies said drug and alcohol issues were the two “most critical” issues being raised with her by service providers in the region outside cost-of-living pressures. She said not having a residential facility in the region “compounds the problems that people under pressure might face”. “If you need to travel away from your friends and family for help at a time of crisis it makes it even more difficult to find your way out of those difficult times,” she said. In response to questions from the Advertiser about whether establishing a specialised residential facility in the region was something the State Government was looking at, a spokeswoman said it “already provides alcohol and other drug support in the Great Southern region”. “Through the 2022-23 State Budget, the State Government provided $6.2 million to the Mental Health Commission to fund non-government organisations to provide treatment services in the region,” she said. “Specific services offered include alcohol and other drug counselling, prevention and diversion services, staffed residential units for people living with chronic mental health issues, and personalised support for people experiencing mental health issues and their carers and families.” RELATED: The spokeswoman said Palmerston Association ran the Great Southern Community Alcohol and Drug Service, which provided a “region-wide alcohol and other drug treatment and prevention service”. “The GSCADS has offices in Albany and Katanning, with outreach services to Denmark, Kojonup, Gnowangerup and Mt Barker and provides outpatient counselling, prevention activities, the Community Opioid Replacement Program, the WA Diversion Program, Cannabis Intervention Sessions, Alcohol Interlock Sessions and suicide prevention services,” she said. “The State Government continues to monitor the mental health needs of the Great Southern region to ensure the treatment and support services available meet the needs of the community,” she said. In March, Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens told the Advertiser there were key agencies “willing and wanting progress” and would “hopefully see a project like that start or come to fruition very soon.” This week she reiterated she continued to “meet regularly with local organisations that provide these important services in our community, including Palmerston Association.” “I will continue to work with the Health Minister to deliver for our region,” she said. The Barnett government’s WA Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Service Plan 2015-2025 (the Plan) identified 16 residential drug rehabilitation beds should be delivered in the Great Southern by 2025. There is no mention of the need for residential drug rehabilitation beds for the region in the more recent WA State Priorities Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs 2020-2024 document, or in an updated version of the priorities list released at the end of July. Palmerston Great Southern regional manager Tina Edwards-Pope said the association supported investment in residential AOD treatment in the region and have previously explored potential locations. “There continues to be a need to increase services so that they meet optimal levels by the end of 2025,” she said. “(The Plan) matrix says 16 AOD residential treatment beds, including low-med detox facilities in the Great Southern is optimal by 2025. Now is the time to invest.” Southern Aboriginal Corporation has been advocating for a dedicated residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Albany since it was raised in a 2016 forum. It has had a completed business plan for a facility since 2017, but it has failed to gain traction with any funding sources including the State Government. Chief executive Asha Bhat said many of the organisations, government officials and politicians SAC had met agreed there was a need , “but no one is taking action”. “We are continuously advocating for a residential rehabilitation centre in Albany, the community is still requesting it,” she said. “The health system in WA is failing people with substance addictions. “Patients, families and health professional groups all recognise the extent of the problem. Yet there is little real appetite to ensure that the expertise and clinical leadership so lacking in WA warrants immediate investment.”