By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A NARRE Warren community centre is one of several facilities in Melbourne’s south-east which will benefit from more than $2 million in State Government funding to tackle the spread of ice.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan on Friday confirmed UnitingCare Regen will receive $532,855 per year for four years to run the new rehabilitation programs, as part of the Andrews Government’s $45.5 million Ice Action Plan.
This will allow the drug treatment organisation to run additional programs for residents in Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong as well as other neighbouring areas. Programs will also be run at Connections UnitingCare in Webb Street, Narre Warren.
The programs – which will include cognitive behavioural therapy, help with managing high-risk situations, and family relationship support – will be funded as part of a $24.6 million package to expand treatment services, support families and strengthen communities across Victoria.
The Casey and Cardinia regions will also benefit from $200,000 given to health service Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) to expand drug support, as well as $1.48 million over four years to fund a state-wide family drug education program.
EACH is a registered community health service based in Melbourne’s East.
“Different people need different kinds of drug treatment,” Mr Donnellan said.
“What is important is to engage the local community of Narre Warren and surrounds so that, together, we can come up with local solutions for local problems with the assistance of the Victorian Government.”
Earlier this year, a forum was convened at the Casey Council offices where representatives from sporting clubs throughout the municipality gathered together to workshop an official drug policy for their respective clubs.
National Policy manager for the Australian Drug Foundation Geoff Munro was a guest speaker at the event and urged people to create a policy as a way of prevention.
He said sporting clubs provided a protective environment, with local coaches often acting as a mentor to those they were in charge of.
Last week, the News incorrectly reported the funding for Narre Warren was $1 million over four years, due to an error in the government’s original press release – the larger figure is correct.
