Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

Drug withdrawal unit opened

The Victorian Government has established a $1.2-million drug withdrawal centre in Melbourne’s north-east.

The Community Residential Drug Withdrawal Unit in Heidelberg, along with similar centres in Dandenong and Box Hill, is part of the Government’s response to the devastation of drug dependence.

One million Australians suffer from substance abuse disorders, according to the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

In the past financial year, the Victorian Government has spent more than $49 million on drug treatment, prevention and research.

The 12-bed facility will provide 24-hour support for people undergoing withdrawal and will enable people to recover in a safe and comfortable community setting under close care. It will also offer help and advice on post-withdrawal treatment.

Designed to avoid the institution-based approach to drug treatment, the unit is expected to handle around 720 detoxifications a year, with people staying on average for six days.

Located at the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, the new Community Residential Drug Withdrawal Unit will provide emergency medical and psychiatric care, if needed.

The Government now provides a range of services closer to where people live to lessen the disruption of withdrawal. These include:

• Home-based and outpatient withdrawal.
• Counselling, consultancy and ongoing care, including help for Kooris and South-East Asians.
• Supported accommodation.
• Residential rehabilitation.
• Youth outreach workers and a related Youth Substance Abuse Service team.
• Specialist methadone services.

The Community Residential Drug Withdrawal Unit at Heidelberg will be managed by the Uniting Church’s Moreland Hall agency, which has more than 30 years’ experience in drug and alcohol services.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Health and aged Care, April 7, 1999)