South East New South Wales will receive $5.16 million for local drug and alcohol rehabilitation services as part of the Turnbull Government’s plan to combat the scourge of ice.
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The funding will help reduce demand for ice and reduce addict-based crime by supporting local rehabilitation services to help get addicts off ice and out of the drug market.
Federal Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis welcomed the distribution of the funding.
“Ice is ruining lives, destroying communities and does not discriminate,” Mrs Sudmalis said.
“This money will provide much needed services to people in our region who are grappling with ice addiction and substance misuse.
“I have spoken to countless families across our community who are dealing with the fallout of this insidious drug, many of whom are concerned about a lack of available treatment and rehab services.”
Mrs Sudmalis said the Coalition had runs on the board when it came to tackling ice, recently providing $2 million to help set up Australia’s first youth ice detox centre near Jamberoo, as well as providing a further $2 million for Oolong House’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation program in Nowra.
People from the Eurobodalla are forced to travel to Nowra or Queanbeyan for residential rehab.
In addition to funding for rehabilitation services, local volunteer groups will soon be able to access grants from the Federal Government to deliver local education and prevention programmes across the community.
The Coalition Government is also providing support to more than 1,200 community sporting clubs to deliver prevention messages about ice with a focus on regional Australia.
These programs are part of the Turnbull Government’s comprehensive $300 million plan to tackle ice across Australia, which resulted from the National IceTaskforce.