Ms LEE - 2013-10-16
It has now been three months since the establishment of alcohol mandatory treatment in the Territory. Can you provide the House with an update on the number of people the Territory has committed to helping address their drinking problems and details on the new quarterly reporting measures?
Ms Walker: Not one assessment for Nhulunbuy. Why would that be?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down, member for Port Darwin!
Opposition, you are all on warnings. I would like to hear the answers and I would also like to hear the questions properly. All of you are on warnings!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. She is very interested in this issue of alcohol mandatory treatment. It affects many of her people in the Arnhem electorate and was an important election commitment. She went to her campaign over 12 months ago with this in mind, selling it to the people of Arnhem. Indeed, we have delivered. Just over three months after implementing this new alcohol mandatory treatment policy across the Northern Territory, we are starting to see real results.
Yes, we provided people of the Northern Territory with an annual report on how we are travelling. That annual report was released last week. It told the people of the Territory that over 100 people have been taken from the revolving door of police protective custody and referred to a health system focusing on supporting them with their particular needs around alcoholism.
It has been a good news story, despite what you hear from the other side of the Chamber. Over 100 people have been given an opportunity to change their lives. These figures have been received remarkably well.
The first person to come out of mandatory treatment is due any day now, so we are looking at the next phase of alcohol mandatory treatment which is the aftercare. It is not compulsory; we cannot make people undergo aftercare. Once they are released from mandatory treatment it is all about self-determination. However, those aftercare plans are in place for these people, ready to assist them in their transition from mandatory rehabilitation into the community. We are hopeful they will take up that offer. After 12 weeks in mandatory treatment we hope they will be assisted to keep off the grog when they get to their community.
One piece of good news I can share with you today is that Congress in Alice Springs, as part of their Safe and Sober Program, has offered to provide aftercare services to people based in Alice Springs. That is a good news story: services working together to provide the best outcomes for people with these chronic alcohol problems. And they are chronic problems; these people are some of the most disadvantaged and sick people in our community.
Madam Speaker, this is a good news story. We will be reviewing the program after six months. By mid-January, a full review will be well under way.
Ms Walker: Not one assessment for Nhulunbuy. Why would that be?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down, member for Port Darwin!
Opposition, you are all on warnings. I would like to hear the answers and I would also like to hear the questions properly. All of you are on warnings!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. She is very interested in this issue of alcohol mandatory treatment. It affects many of her people in the Arnhem electorate and was an important election commitment. She went to her campaign over 12 months ago with this in mind, selling it to the people of Arnhem. Indeed, we have delivered. Just over three months after implementing this new alcohol mandatory treatment policy across the Northern Territory, we are starting to see real results.
Yes, we provided people of the Northern Territory with an annual report on how we are travelling. That annual report was released last week. It told the people of the Territory that over 100 people have been taken from the revolving door of police protective custody and referred to a health system focusing on supporting them with their particular needs around alcoholism.
It has been a good news story, despite what you hear from the other side of the Chamber. Over 100 people have been given an opportunity to change their lives. These figures have been received remarkably well.
The first person to come out of mandatory treatment is due any day now, so we are looking at the next phase of alcohol mandatory treatment which is the aftercare. It is not compulsory; we cannot make people undergo aftercare. Once they are released from mandatory treatment it is all about self-determination. However, those aftercare plans are in place for these people, ready to assist them in their transition from mandatory rehabilitation into the community. We are hopeful they will take up that offer. After 12 weeks in mandatory treatment we hope they will be assisted to keep off the grog when they get to their community.
One piece of good news I can share with you today is that Congress in Alice Springs, as part of their Safe and Sober Program, has offered to provide aftercare services to people based in Alice Springs. That is a good news story: services working together to provide the best outcomes for people with these chronic alcohol problems. And they are chronic problems; these people are some of the most disadvantaged and sick people in our community.
Madam Speaker, this is a good news story. We will be reviewing the program after six months. By mid-January, a full review will be well under way.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016