A $6.4 million investment in local drug and alcohol rehabilitation services will help combat the scourge of ice in the Forde community and surrounding region.
The funding has been allocated to the Brisbane South Primary Health Network (PHN), to support local rehabilitation services that help get addicts off ice and out of the drug market.
Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen MP today welcomed the new funding, which would help combat the devastating impact ice is having across the region.
“Ice is ruining lives, destroying communities and does not discriminate,” Mr van Manen said.
“This funding will provide much needed services to people in our region that are grappling with ice addiction and substance misuse.
‘I have spoken with families who are dealing with the fallout of this insidious drug, many of who are concerned about the lack of available treatment and rehab services.”
Mr van Manen said while treatment delivery was traditionally the responsibility of state governments, the Federal Coalition Government had recognised the urgency of the situation and acted.
“The funding for local services is part of the Coalition’s response to the National Ice Taskforce report, which was handed down in December last year,” Mr van Manen said.
“The Brisbane South Primary Health Network will be responsible for commissioning services with the funding, which will flow from July 1.”
Minister for Rural Health Fiona Nash said it was clear that we could not simply “arrest our way out of this problem”.
“Police everywhere are doing a great job and making record numbers of busts,” Minister Nash said.
“Police and the National Ice Taskforce have recommended we also focus on reducing demand.
“If we want to break the drug dealer’s business model, we have to smash the demand for their terrible product and this funding will help to do just that.”
In addition to funding for rehabilitation services, local volunteer groups will soon be able to access grants from the Federal Government to deliver local education and prevention programmes across the community.
The Coalition is also providing support to more than 1,200 community sporting clubs to deliver prevention messages about ice with a focus on regional Australia.
These programmes are part of the Coalition Government’s comprehensive $300m plan to tackle ice across Australia.