Friday, 16 March 2019

There will be more support for young regional Victorians suffering from problematic alcohol and drug use, thanks to a new youth residential rehab facility in Traralgon.

Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health Harriet Shing visited the site of the soon to be built 20-bed facility in Northern Avenue today, which will be open to referred young people from across the state.

Youth residential rehab facilities like the Traralgon facility provide an environment for young people to address their alcohol and drug use and develop skills that will help them find their feet again in the community.

Across Victoria, alcohol remains a major drug of concern and causes the highest number of drug-related ambulance call outs each year. However, rural and regional Victoria has been particularly hard-hit by the increased availability and use of ice.

The Andrews Labor Government’s Ice Action Plan and the Drug Rehabilitation Plan is more than doubling the number of residential rehabilitation beds in Victoria – from 208 beds in 2014-15 to 478 when all facilities are operational.

More than half of the new residential rehabilitation beds will be based in regional Victoria so that hundreds more Victorians in rural areas can access treatment, closer to home and family.

The Labor Government has increased funding for alcohol and other drug services by 57 per cent over the last four budgets, providing a record $259.9 million in this year alone.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Treatment and recovery from addiction for young people requires a range of programs, supports and services, and this new facility will help more young people manage their addiction and reclaim their lives.”

“This facility will be a dedicated resource for young people facing the complex and challenging issues of addiction, and will actively support their recovery and reintegration into the community.”

“As construction continues, we will work closely with service providers across the region to ensure that this facility can meet the needs of patients and deliver improved outcomes across the board.”