Young people in North Queensland will gain greater access to alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment and recovery thanks to a $19.3 million investment by the Queensland Government.
Queensland Health has successfully awarded a contract to the Cairns based Youth Empowered Towards Independence (YETI), a specialist non-government organisation, to operate the state’s first publicly funded youth residential AOD treatment service in Cairns.
This new 10-bed, purpose-built residential rehabilitation centre at 26-28 Mount Peter Rd, Edmonton, will provide vital support to young people with complex needs who are experiencing problematic substance use.
The new residential treatment centre will be complemented by a suite of non-residential programs and expand the range of specialist AOD treatment and harm reduction options available in the region. The new service will be specifically tailored to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and their families.
The new model of service (residential and non-residential programs) was developed through extensive consultation with key North Queensland stakeholders, including local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, young people, and key service providers.
This $19.3 million over five years investment in service delivery is part of the Queensland Government’s $1.645 billion Better Care Together plan to strengthen mental health, alcohol and other drug services in Queensland by improving access to specialist residential rehabilitation and withdrawal management.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) chief executive Leena Singh said construction had started on the 10-bed residential rehabilitation centre, which was due to be operational next year.
‘The new centre is a game-changer for North Queensland youth who need supportive treatment to overcome problematic alcohol and/or drug use,’ Ms Singh said.
‘Young people attending the residential rehabilitation program will receive care in a safe, structured home-like environment, free from drugs, with 24/7 on-site staff supervision.
‘The new service will include a suite of non-residential programs to support young people experiencing problematic substance alcohol and drug use to voluntarily engage in treatment and harm reduction.
‘As a proven provider in youth treatment, YETI is the ideal choice to operate this new Cairns service. Their expertise ensures long-term health benefits for young people seeking help.’
YETI chief executive officer Genevieve Sinclair said they were pleased to be awarded the contract to deliver both the residential service and non-residential programs, which will be provided from a separate premise in Cairns for young people aged up to 25 years.
‘This will be a collaboration with our key partners at the Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS), and Gindaja Treatment and Healing Indigenous Corporation,’ Ms Sinclair said.
‘Under the service model, YETI will lead the project and provide drug and alcohol services for young people in the community. YSAS, experts in delivering residential treatment programs in Victoria, will manage the residential rehabilitation centre.
‘Critically, the local Yarrabah based organisation, Gindaja Treatment and Healing, will contribute cultural expertise to ensure that our service is culturally safe and accessible.
‘We believe that this service will significantly improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for young people facing alcohol and drug-related challenges.
‘It will ensure that young people in Cairns and surrounding areas can access alcohol and drug support when they need it most.’
CHHHS Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Service Director, Wade Norrie, said youth-specific alcohol and other drug treatment closer to home was a highly effective option to ‘empower young people to heal and strengthen the communities they call home’.
‘Residential rehabilitation services benefit communities by allowing better and earlier access to more structured and intensive treatment, allowing consumers to make positive behaviour changes and reduce stress on families,’ Mr Norrie said.
‘The residential program will include a range of intensive treatments and therapeutic activities to support young people’s recovery and a return to community living. Supports include co-ordinated access to learning with dedicated onsite Department of Education staff and specialist mental health treatment and care delivered by the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.
‘Early adolescence is a vulnerable time for substance use. This service addresses the complex needs of young people experiencing problems with alcohol and other drug use, providing them with the specialist treatment they need.
‘CHHHS mental health will be working collaboratively with YETI and other agencies in developing the models of care and supporting the health needs of the young people accessing this service.’
The Cairns-based rehabilitation centre is one of three new AOD residential treatment services as part of a $72.7 million capital investment, which includes adult facilities in Bundaberg and Ipswich.