Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan today said the Buttery’s new alcohol and rehabilitation services, particularly for the drug Ice, will fill a gap in local services and will complement existing programs.
“The free new program is for young people in Grafton, Yamba and Maclean and has been designed to fill identified gaps in health services,” he said.
“I would like to congratulate the North Coast Primary Health Network and the Buttery for developing this new program.”
The new $225,000 Young People’s Alcohol and other Drugs Early Intervention Program is part of the $5.7 million package Mr Hogan announced last year to develop a range of services to tackle the scourge of Ice in the Northern Rivers community.
“Ice not only hurts the user, it tears families apart and puts our frontline emergency workers like nurses and police in physical danger,” Mr Hogan said.
NCPHN’s Director Mental Health Reform Dr Megan Lawrance said the free program for young people aged 12 to 24 filled an identified gap in health services.
“The funding was made available because of a need to give young people living outside of major centres better access to appropriate alcohol and other drug counselling and to referral services that will make a difference to their lives,” she said.
“The program will work closely with headspace Grafton when it opens in September, and local high schools, as well as employment, housing and primary health care providers. It will provide much needed treatment and support for young people experimenting with, and misusing alcohol and other substances.”
The Buttery CEO John Mundy said that the program would ensure evidence-based support and treatment for at risk young people.
“We are pleased to provide this program to young people in smaller centres. It includes responsible and personalised treatment plans and focuses on supporting increased resilience to the things in their lives contributing to their alcohol and drug use,” he said.
“It also offers a single point of contact for families and carers to find support and information. Importantly, the program is delivered using non-judgemental and culturally aware framework which promotes inclusion.”
The intervention program will also provide support, consultancy and training for youth workers in the social services sector.
