The ACT Government has announced it will grow its treatment services for alcohol and other drug dependence by spending more than $13 million on rehabilitation, family and carer support, and specialised treatments.

“The ACT Government regards drug dependency as a health issue, not a justice issue,” said Chief Minister Andrew Barr. “Additional funding into services like these is an important part of our health-based approach to supporting people with drug addiction.”

The Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA) welcomed the ACT Government’s increased investment.

 “For people seeking residential or other specialised alcohol and other drug treatment, it will mean better access, and will allow more people to receive the right treatment at the right time,” ATODA CEO, Dr Devin Bowles said. “For families of people with drug dependence, it will mean better support, and increased education and capacity for them to support their loved ones.

The government will spend more than $6.4 million to deliver residential rehabilitation services and more targeted treatments for methamphetamine addiction, and to establish a new support service for families and carers of people who use drugs.

“This substantial investment will further boost support for Canberrans with alcohol and other drug dependence, including specifically for people who experience methamphetamine addiction,” health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.

“Improving access to family and carer support responds to calls from the community and builds on the ACT’s nation-leading approach to harm minimisation.”

The Watson Health Precinct redevelopment will deliver new facilities for the Ted Noffs Foundation Canberra and CatholicCare to provide alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services for young people and residential care for young people with mental health conditions, and a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander alcohol and other drug residential rehabilitation service.

The Government is investing $3 million in this dedicated residential rehabilitation service to facilitate site preparation, detailed design, and commissioning work in partnership with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, as well as alcohol and other drugs training for staff.

The Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm will transition to a residential program. Funding will facilitate a therapeutic community approach, traditional healing concepts, cultural programs, and life skills training to tackle underlying social and emotional issues.

The Government will improve Canberra Script, the local real-time prescription monitoring service that reduces the risk of harm being caused by the misuse of prescription medications.

This investment builds on the almost $20 million in additional funding invested since 2019-20 in alcohol and other drugs programs to support Canberrans and reduce harm in the community.

ATODA

“Today’s investment is part of a pattern in which the ACT is leading Australia in the shift to appropriately recognising drugs as a health issue,” Dr Bowles said. “This is illustrated by our nation-leading decriminalisation of cannabis, Australia’s first fixed drug checking site pilot, and the Government’s stated intention to decriminalise small amounts of a wide range of illicit drugs.

• Saving lives: Australia’s first drug-testing clinic opens in Canberra (19 July)
• ACT Government progresses Michael Pettersson’s drugs reform bill (9 June)

“The appropriate response to a health issue is to fund high quality health services. I thank the Minister for this investment, which will expand the ACT’s scope of evidence-based alcohol and other drug services.”

ATODA has advocated through the budget consultation process for increased investment in the alcohol and other drug sector. Across Australia, there is twice as much demand for alcohol and other drug treatment services as there are services available.

 “In the ACT,” Dr Bowles said, “the evidence is that we do better than the Australian average, but there is always more we can do, and I look forward to continued productive discussions with Government.

“The specialist alcohol and other drug sector in the ACT consistently delivers high quality outcomes for individuals, their families, and the community. ATODA welcomes the Government’s continuing commitment to work collaboratively with the alcohol and other drug sector in codesigning new initiatives.”

ACTCOSS

The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) also welcomed the announcement.

ACTCOSS, alongside ATODA, the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy (CAHMA), and Winnunga Nimmityjah Health and Community Services, has long called for increased investment in alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment in Canberra.

Dr Gemma Killen, ACTCOSS Head of Policy, said: “We appreciate the ACT Government’s approach to problematic drug dependence as a health issue rather than a justice issue. We hope this new funding will ensure that people are able to receive care and treatment in culturally safe and supported ways.

“This funding is particularly important as we move to decriminalise small amounts of certain drugs in the ACT. As people begin to feel free from stigma and the threat of criminal punishment, they will be more likely and more open to seeking treatment.

“We know that AOD services in the ACT perform especially well: 75 per cent of people receiving services report reduced substance use, and 81 per cent report improved general health. However, under-resourcing, a lack of residential rehabilitation programs, and long wait lists mean many people are unable to access treatment when needed. 

“Improving access to supports for those facing problematic alcohol or drug dependence will lessen strain on the health and justice systems and will lead to better outcomes for some of the most disadvantaged people in Canberra.

“We look forward to seeing the development of these programs and facilities and celebrate the significant impact they will have on individuals, families and the broader Canberra community.”