Adjournment: Drug & Alcohol Services

Ms SPENCE – My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Mental Health, and the action I am seeking is an update as to what treatment and support services are available to residents of the Yuroke district who are dealing with drug or alcohol dependence. I am very pleased that this government has invested significantly in adding extra capacity to the Victorian alcohol and drug treatment sector, and I know that this government’s commitment to assisting those in need was welcomed by advocacy groups like the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, which for many years has called for additional resourcing. I look forward to an update from the minister and to sharing this important information with the constituents of Yuroke.

Response:

In 2017-18 the Andrews Labor Government is investing a record $220.1 million in drug services across the state. This represents an increase in funding for alcohol and other drug services of 33 per cent in just three State Budgets.

Through recent investments and other work, the Andrews Labor Government is supporting expansion and improvements across the entire treatment system, including for the residents of Yuroke.

The 2017-18 State Budget included up to $110 million in new funding to build, expand and enhance our drug treatment, support and reduction efforts. New initiatives include establishing 30 new residential rehabilitation beds in existing services, providing more services for parents and those on community corrections orders, establishing more culturally-specific alcohol and drug services for members of the Aboriginal community, and acquisition of land for three new residential drug rehabilitation treatment facilities in regional Victoria.

The Hon. Martin Foley MP
Minister for Mental Health