The NSW Government has pledged $9.84 million for alcohol and other drug treatment services in the Murrumbidgee region as the Drug Summit begins in Griffith, including:
- $3.6 million for new post-custodial support programs to be provided by Directions Health and RivMed (Riverina Medical & Dental Aboriginal Corporation);
- $2 million to deliver a community-based withdrawal management, case management and counselling service for vulnerable populations through Directions Health; and
- $4.24 million to rollout a new youth day program and counselling service through Karralika.
Post-custodial support
Post-custodial support is designed to help promote reintegration into the community and reduce the risk of drug dependency and reincarceration for vulnerable community members.
Support starts before they leave custody and continuing for 12 months, providing improved long-term health and social outcomes.
Withdrawal & case management, counselling
Community-based withdrawal management, case management and counselling for priority groups will be provided through Directions Health.
Directions Health provides a range of free, integrated services and programs for individuals, family members and friends, impacted by alcohol and other drugs.
Services will be offered in person, and through virtual care.
Counselling for young people
This will be used to roll out a new youth day program and counselling service that includes group and individual support, and in-person and virtual care.
Young people aged 12-17 years and young adults aged 18-24 years will be eligible.
It is expected the program will support up to 100 young people each year.
Drug Summit begins in Griffith
The 2024 Drug Summit is officially underway in NSW, with the first regional forum taking place in Griffith today.
Minister for Health and Regional Health Ryan Park is attending the forum in Griffith, which will build on the NSW Government's commitment to improving the prevention, minimisation and treatment of alcohol and drug related harm.
The Drug Summit will include two more forums, which will be held in Lismore on 4 November and in Sydney on 4 and 5 December, bringing together health experts, police, people with lived and living experiences, drug user organisations, families and other stakeholders to provide a range of perspectives.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
"The Drug Summit will reflect the experiences and expertise from a diverse range of perspectives - we will all contribute, we will all listen and then we will all act.
"I am so pleased to be able to announce this important investment into these life changing services which will mean so much to so many people in this region.
"Substance use can be a confronting and challenging issue, which is why it's so important we continue to support community organisations such as Karralika and Directions Health in the essential work they do.
"These organisations work hand-in-hand with Murrumbidgee Local Health District's drug and alcohol services, to provide non-judgemental support, advice and treatment options for all members of our community.
"The summit will cover a range of matters from prevention, to harm minimisation, but treatment is equally as important, and I'm so glad that we're able to expand access to it in this part of the world."
Quotes attributable to Member for Murray Helen Dalton:
"I'm so pleased residents in the Murrumbidgee region are set to benefit from this major funding boost, which will provide more specialist, personalised and holistic care to individuals and families impacted by alcohol and other drug use.
"I look forward to today's forum in Griffith which will help us better understand how drug use impacts our communities and provide insight into how we can improve drug related health and community outcomes."
