Page 4029 - Week 11 - Thursday, 26 September 2019
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(12) What outreach services do these programs or facilities offer to the families of affected young people.
(13) What data does the ACT Government have regarding rates of drug usage by young people and adults in the territory and how can this data be accessed.
Ms Stephen-Smith: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Alcohol and drug treatment programs specifically targeted towards people under 18 years of age that are funded by ACT Government are provided by:
• Canberra Health Services’ Alcohol and Drug Service;
• Ted Noffs Foundation; and
• Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation.
Funded treatment types include residential rehabilitation, withdrawal services, counselling, pharmacotherapy, crisis intervention, assessment, information and education.
The Canberra Health Services’ Alcohol and Drug Service Youth Drug and Alcohol Program provides a range of services for young people aged 12-25 years with complex alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues. Young adults aged 18-25 years are able to access the full range of treatment services, unless specifically excluded (for example men from women-only programs).
Young people may receive priority access to all-age services, where clinically appropriate.
Canberra Health Services, Ted Noffs and Gugan Gulwan all provide in-reach services to Bimberi Youth Justice Centre.
(2) Ted Noffs Foundation is contracted by ACT Health Directorate to operate a 10-bed residential facility. Beds are primarily for residential rehabilitation, but a proportion may be used for withdrawal in the early stages of admission if clinically required.
Capacity for non-residential programs will vary depending on the complexity of individual cases. Ted Noffs has a counselling capacity of approximately 30-50 clients at any one time, depending on the complexity.
Canberra Health Services’ Alcohol and Drug Service has two full-time equivalent positions for youth counselling.
Gugan Gulwan employs three drug and alcohol outreach workers.
(3) The length of treatment will vary dependent on individual circumstances.
Alcohol and other drug dependence is regarded clinically as a chronic and relapsing biopsychosocial condition as the condition is influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological and social factors.
Management of conditions can be prolonged, comparable to management of mental illness or management of a condition like diabetes. Alcohol and drug dependence is not regarded as a condition that can necessarily be definitively ‘fixed’ by short-term treatment.
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