The Liberal National Government will provide $1.5 million over the next 12 months for Goldfields Rehabilitation Services Inc. (GRSI) to fund its drug rehabilitation program and medical detoxification facility in the Goldfields.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said, “The funding includes $785,000 to kick start their new four bed medical detoxification facility, as well as $770,000 to enable the 7 remaining beds in the rehabilitation centre to become operational.”
“Drugs are a scourge on regional communities. Not only do they ruin the lives of individuals but they also have a destructive effect on families and our health system.”
GRSI has operated a 15-week residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment program from a purpose-built facility in Kalgoorlie since 2017, but due to a lack of State funding it has only been utilizing 11 of the 18 available beds.
A requirement of entering into the drug and alcohol rehabilitation program is that the participant has detoxified prior to admission.
GRSI recently completed the refurbishment of four low-medical detoxification rooms, to enable medically supervised withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, amphetamines and other drugs prior to entering their residential rehabilitation program.
Minister Hunt said, “This investment by the Liberal National Government will ensure both programs are funded for the next 12 months, and I am hopeful the State government will continue the funding of these essential services in the longer term.”
“It will also guarantee the use of the low-medical detoxification rooms, enabling medically supervised withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, amphetamines and other drugs prior to entering the 15-week program.”
“I wish GRSI all the best in continuing to make a difference in treating people suffering from drug misuse.”
Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson said GRSI is providing an invaluable service to those affected by drugs in the Goldfields.
“I’ve been fighting to secure funding to ensure it can run at full capacity and help get people clean and keep families free from the effects of drugs,” Mr Wilson said.
“In June 2017, Kalgoorlie-Boulder was identified as having the highest rate of methylamphetamine consumption in the state following testing conducted by the WA Police Waste Water Analysis Project.
“The rate of use was also more than 50 per cent higher than in metropolitan Perth.
“The Goldfields region has urgently needed detoxification and rehabilitation facilities close to where residents of the region can access them, so I am thrilled with this announcement enabling GRSI to fully utilise its available infrastructure.”
“While the funding of alcohol and other drug services is predominantly the domain of the State Government, through the Mental Health Commission, I welcome this interim funding from the federal government, noting that WA Health Minister Roger Cook has recently suggested revisiting previous unsuccessful applications for funding by GRSI,” Mr Wilson said.
The GRSI Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program incorporates counselling, development of life skills, nutrition, education, group exercise and promotion of healthy living as well as a number of therapies including psychotherapy, group, creative, relaxation and work therapy.
GRSI’s low-medical detoxification rooms will assist residents of the Goldfields with medically supervised withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, methamphetamine and other drugs.