Two 'safe houses' in Gt Sthern for people recovering from drug dependency

1/3/96

Two 'safe houses' for people rehabilitating from alcohol and drug dependency will be established in the Great Southern.

Health Minister Kevin Prince announced this week that the State Government would provide $225,000 for the much needed, purpose-built facilities.

Mr Prince said the safe houses would be used for people who had completed a detoxification program and needed an alcohol and drug-free environment in which to stay for a short time afterwards.

One of the safe houses would be located in Albany with the other expected to be set up for people in the rural districts.

Mr Prince praised the work of the Albany Regional Alcohol and Drug Advisory Committee (ARADAC) and the Alcohol and Drug Authority, which would run the programs and which had supported people overcoming their addictions in the Great Southern Region for many years.

He said that in the past people in the region had relied on a detoxification process in the Albany Regional Hospital and at Denmark Hospital.

While support was also available through two Alcohol and Drug Authority officers and an Alcoholic's Anonymous self help group, no facilities were available for further recovery support.

"While residential facilities are available in Perth, residents of the Great Southern have found that the long distance is a problem," Mr Prince said.

"New services like these safe houses will help people address their dependency problems at home in a supportive environment.

"The safe houses will offer expert counselling from Alcohol and Drug Authority workers and will represent a positive boost to services in the area."

ARADAC chairman John O'Rourke said the committee welcomed the State Government support for the safe house program and hoped to attract more funds from a variety of sources to expand the program in the future.

Mr Prince commended further plans for ARADAC and the Alcohol and Drug Authority to hold a public seminar discussing drug and alcohol treatment needs in the Great Southern.

The 'New Community Directions in Drug and Alcohol Treatment' seminar will be held on Friday, March 15 at the Esplanade Hotel, Albany.

Media contact: Stacey Molloy 366 0300 or 222 9595