$4.23 million boost to drug and alcohol services

Sunday, 16 October 2016

• Specialised meth clinic to open this week with $530,000 funding for two years
• $3.7 million to expand community alcohol and drug services across the State 

The Liberal National Government today launched a new specialist methamphetamine clinic and a major expansion of its community alcohol and drug services.

Mental Health Minister Andrea Mitchell said the clinic and expanded services were key elements of the $14.9 million Western Australian Meth Strategy 2016, funded in the 2016-17 State Budget.

"The meth clinic, based at the Mental Health Commission's Next Step facility in East Perth, will provide free withdrawal treatment and counselling services for people with meth problems," Ms Mitchell said.

"The clinic will provide rapid assessment of people experiencing meth-related problems by a multidisciplinary medical team, including a doctor, nurse and clinical psychologist with specialist knowledge of meth-related harm."

Treatments will include withdrawal or relapse prevention pharmacotherapies, individual counselling and group programs.

The Mental Health Commission has allocated $530,000 over two years to fund the clinic.

The $3.7 million expansion of the community alcohol and drug services network will provide the equivalent of another 13 full-time staff around the State to provide counselling, information and referrals to people experiencing meth harm, and their families.

"The network provides treatment in locations across Perth and in regional areas, so people who need help with meth, and their families, can access treatment and support nearer to where they live," the Minister said.

The Mental Health Commission's new Meth Helpline is the first point of call for people who need help with meth, and for family and friends who may be seeking advice, support and referral to treatment services.

Fact File

• The WA Meth Strategy also includes funding for 60 extra withdrawal and rehabilitation beds, frontline worker training and frontline nurses in hospital emergency departments
• If you or someone close to you needs help with meth, phone the Meth Helpline on 1800 874 878