Mr HIGGINS - 2014-05-14
Can you inform the Assembly about how the $28m investment in alcohol mandatory treatment across the Territory will support individuals to tackle their drinking problems?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. He is very concerned about the alcohol issues throughout the Territory and in his electorate.
Yes, we have committed a further $28m to the further roll-out of alcohol mandatory treatment services across the Territory. This program is making a real difference to people’s lives. I would like to share with people a case study which demonstrates how this has, and will continue to, turn around the lives of people affected by alcohol in the Northern Territory.
I refer to a case study of a 44-year-old Aboriginal gentleman who has lived most of his life in Central Australia. He was the second person to come into alcohol mandatory treatment at CAAAPU in Alice Springs. Prior to entering alcohol mandatory treatment, I believe he presented to the Emergency Department 35 times in a period of 12 months, with one hospital admission. At all of those presentations he was intoxicated. He was sent to alcohol mandatory treatment for assessment, placed on the 12-week mandatory treatment order, sent to CAAAPU, and he completed his order on 15 November. He had a bit of a relapse and the next day, 16 November, he spent the night in the Alice Springs watch house. I am pleased to say that since that date five months ago, he has not been into the Alice Springs watch house. When he has presented at the Emergency Department of the Alice Springs hospital, he has not been drunk. That is a good story: five months sober and out of trouble. He is off the cycle of being intoxicated, ending up in the justice system and needing those essential medical services that you need when you have a severe problem.
We are continuing to roll out alcohol mandatory treatment services across the Northern Territory in Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, and there will be changes to services in Nhulunbuy. The member for Nhulunbuy is concerned. There has not been a significant demand for alcohol mandatory treatment in Nhulunbuy; only four people required alcohol mandatory treatment in Nhulunbuy over the last nine months. There will be changes to how we go about configuring alcohol and other drugs services in Nhulunbuy. Labor did not have a plan. This government has been in power for about 20 months. We have turned the ship around and are addressing some serious alcohol problems in the Northern Territory.
Madam SPEAKER: I draw honourable members’ attention to the presence in the gallery of a former Member of the Legislative Assembly, and minister, Mr Stephen Dunham. Welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. He is very concerned about the alcohol issues throughout the Territory and in his electorate.
Yes, we have committed a further $28m to the further roll-out of alcohol mandatory treatment services across the Territory. This program is making a real difference to people’s lives. I would like to share with people a case study which demonstrates how this has, and will continue to, turn around the lives of people affected by alcohol in the Northern Territory.
I refer to a case study of a 44-year-old Aboriginal gentleman who has lived most of his life in Central Australia. He was the second person to come into alcohol mandatory treatment at CAAAPU in Alice Springs. Prior to entering alcohol mandatory treatment, I believe he presented to the Emergency Department 35 times in a period of 12 months, with one hospital admission. At all of those presentations he was intoxicated. He was sent to alcohol mandatory treatment for assessment, placed on the 12-week mandatory treatment order, sent to CAAAPU, and he completed his order on 15 November. He had a bit of a relapse and the next day, 16 November, he spent the night in the Alice Springs watch house. I am pleased to say that since that date five months ago, he has not been into the Alice Springs watch house. When he has presented at the Emergency Department of the Alice Springs hospital, he has not been drunk. That is a good story: five months sober and out of trouble. He is off the cycle of being intoxicated, ending up in the justice system and needing those essential medical services that you need when you have a severe problem.
We are continuing to roll out alcohol mandatory treatment services across the Northern Territory in Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, and there will be changes to services in Nhulunbuy. The member for Nhulunbuy is concerned. There has not been a significant demand for alcohol mandatory treatment in Nhulunbuy; only four people required alcohol mandatory treatment in Nhulunbuy over the last nine months. There will be changes to how we go about configuring alcohol and other drugs services in Nhulunbuy. Labor did not have a plan. This government has been in power for about 20 months. We have turned the ship around and are addressing some serious alcohol problems in the Northern Territory.
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DISTINGUISHED VISITOR
Mr Stephen Dunham
Mr Stephen Dunham
Madam SPEAKER: I draw honourable members’ attention to the presence in the gallery of a former Member of the Legislative Assembly, and minister, Mr Stephen Dunham. Welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016