Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2011-08-09
Can you please update the House on the expansion of treatment services provided as part of this government’s innovative package of alcohol reforms?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Our government’s Enough is Enough reform package is delivering $34.3m over five years to expand and enhance treatment services across the continuum of care. Whether it is a first intervention or intensive treatment for long-term abusers, problem drinkers will get the services they need and the opportunity to get off the grog and get their life back under their control.
The impact of alcohol abuse can be seen in our hospitals and families across the Northern Territory. That is why we want to turn off the tap for problem drinkers - unlike the CLP members, who want to extend drinking hours.
Already this year, we have invested $5.2m to expand treatment options for problem drinkers, with $3.5m to expand treatment and rehabilitation services with an extra 14 beds in Darwin to open at Salvation Army Sunrise Centre, and 10 new beds in DASA in Alice Springs; $700 000 for community-based outreach services in major centres and growth towns. The department and AMSANT are recruiting Aboriginal Health Workers, counsellors, and medical officers. There is $0.5m for expanded alcohol withdrawal support options, home-based residential low risk, plus high-risk hostel-based withdrawal; and $0.5m for brief interventions by GPs and primary health providers for people who have been referred by the SMART Court or tribunal for treatment orders and people who voluntarily seek assistance.
Within the first month of operation, training in the alcohol misuse interventions and special resources was provided for 50 remote health centres, and over 70 sessions were delivered for urban GPs. SMART Courts commenced and, within the first month of operation, made 18 referrals and 10 treatment orders. The reforms are providing the range of targeted treatments needed to reduce alcohol-fuelled behaviour. They help protect our children from family violence, reduce the demands on our hospitals, and help problem drinkers get back control of their lives.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Our government’s Enough is Enough reform package is delivering $34.3m over five years to expand and enhance treatment services across the continuum of care. Whether it is a first intervention or intensive treatment for long-term abusers, problem drinkers will get the services they need and the opportunity to get off the grog and get their life back under their control.
The impact of alcohol abuse can be seen in our hospitals and families across the Northern Territory. That is why we want to turn off the tap for problem drinkers - unlike the CLP members, who want to extend drinking hours.
Already this year, we have invested $5.2m to expand treatment options for problem drinkers, with $3.5m to expand treatment and rehabilitation services with an extra 14 beds in Darwin to open at Salvation Army Sunrise Centre, and 10 new beds in DASA in Alice Springs; $700 000 for community-based outreach services in major centres and growth towns. The department and AMSANT are recruiting Aboriginal Health Workers, counsellors, and medical officers. There is $0.5m for expanded alcohol withdrawal support options, home-based residential low risk, plus high-risk hostel-based withdrawal; and $0.5m for brief interventions by GPs and primary health providers for people who have been referred by the SMART Court or tribunal for treatment orders and people who voluntarily seek assistance.
Within the first month of operation, training in the alcohol misuse interventions and special resources was provided for 50 remote health centres, and over 70 sessions were delivered for urban GPs. SMART Courts commenced and, within the first month of operation, made 18 referrals and 10 treatment orders. The reforms are providing the range of targeted treatments needed to reduce alcohol-fuelled behaviour. They help protect our children from family violence, reduce the demands on our hospitals, and help problem drinkers get back control of their lives.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016