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Meth crisis centre to be built in Midland

Sarah BrookesMidland Kalamunda Reporter

METH addicts will be able to access a new 10-bed crisis centre in Midland following a $5 million investment by the State Government.

The crisis centre, part of a $42.5m package announced today in response to the Meth Action Taskforce report, will be located on Eveline Road in a house that was formerly used as a sobering up centre.

Premier Mark McGowan, Health Minister Roger Cook and Police Minister Michelle Roberts released its response to the report outlining a range of initiatives that focus on prevention, early intervention, treatment and support, and law enforcement.

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Health Minister Roger Cook said the new crisis centre in Midland would provide more help where and when it’s needed.

“Most of us have seen the harms and ill-effects methamphetamine use has on families and our community,” he said.

“Our continued commitment to the Methamphetamine Action Plan and the fulfilment of the supported recommendations of the taskforce report will help make Western Australia a healthier and safer place.”

Mr McGowan said the initiatives were the next step in reducing the harm caused by meth.

“Already we’ve pushed on with delivering important initiatives, across Western Australia, that are about reducing demand, supply and harm,” he said.

“The next steps for us across the whole of government is to resource and implement the initiatives methodically.”

Police Minister Michelle Roberts said the State Government had already invested $125.9 million in its Meth Border Force, with an additional 100 police and 20 professional staff, as well as sophisticated drug detection technology.

“While our police are doing a great job intercepting meth and taking it out of our suburbs and country towns, it’s important we also invest in treatment facilities and support for those addicted to it,” she said.

The package also includes better education in schools to reduce the uptake of methamphetamine use amongst young people.

The Meth Action Plan Taskforce was commissioned by the State Government to provide advice and recommendations on what more could be done to reduce methamphetamine use.

The taskforce’s report made 57 recommendations and highlighted the need for improved responses to the methamphetamine crisis in the community.

The full response to the recommendations of the Meth Action Plan Taskforce report can be downloaded from www.dpc.wa.gov.au/ProjectsandSpecialEvents/MAPTaskforce/Pages/default.aspx

Additional Meth Action Plan initiatives as part of the $42.5 million package will include:

• $4.83 million to establish a 10-bed crisis centre in Midland;

• $200,000 towards planning for short-term safe places for compulsory critical intervention;

• $200,000 to plan for the expansion of the award-winning Mental Health Police Co-Response model to regional areas and to include support for alcohol and other drug issues;

• $9.2 million towards the development of a comprehensive alcohol and other drug youth service in the Kimberley

• $2.34 million for four low medical withdrawal beds in the Kimberley;

• $631,000 to expand the existing Transitional Housing and Support Program, which will assist an additional 20 people each year;

• $20.1 million towards the North West Drug and Alcohol Support Program;

• $914,000 for alcohol and other drug training for Aboriginal workers through the Strong Spirit Strong Mind program;

• $614,000 towards alcohol and other drug training for frontline workers such as psychologists, social workers and counsellors;

• $457,000 for the Meth Peer Education Program which focuses on harm reduction and health promotion;

• $1.05 million for alcohol and other drug education programs in schools with a focus on at-risk students;

• $1.52 million to expand the needle syringe exchange program in high-demand regional areas including the Great Southern and Bunbury;

• $300,000 to expand the Hepatitis WA nurse-led program which supports GPs to provide brief interventions to meth users; and

• $150,000 towards raising awareness of the community Needle Syringe Exchange Programs.

For free help, contact the Alcohol and Drug Support Line on 9442 5000 or 1800 653 203 (country).