The investment includes funding for Far West Local Health District and local non-government organisations services, including:
• $2.1 million over four years for day rehabilitation and counselling for young people aged 12-17 years and young adults aged 18-24 years, delivered by Mission Australia.
• $600,000 over 3 years has been allocated for community-based prevention programs for Aboriginal young people aged 12-24 years.
• $8 million over four years has been allocated to Far West Local Health District to increase access to specialist alcohol and other drug treatment and support.
Day rehabilitation and counselling for young people
The day rehabilitation program, being run by Mission Australia, includes individual counselling and support, group based support and education and care coordination for up to 6 months. The program will offer outreach to a range of locations such as schools, youth services or recreation centres, to connect young people to their community, and focus on building supportive relationships. Young people participating in the program will have access to a range of health and social support services.
The program is expected to support up to 150 young people each year.
Aboriginal AOD prevention programs
Funding will be provided to Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations to deliver community-based prevention programs for Aboriginal young people aged 12-24 years old. These programs will be culturally safe and based on community need. They will be innovative and trial novel approaches, building evidence of effective prevention strategies for Aboriginal communities.
Far West Local Health District Services
The district will be able to offer increased access to treatment and clinical expertise through the expansion of critical workforce and virtual care; strengthening support for local Aboriginal communities; and building partnerships to better support young people and people involved in the justice system, including expansion of the Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) program.
Drug Summit
The NSW Government held a multiday regional Drug Summit in Griffith and Lismore in November, bringing together health experts, police, people with lived and living experiences, drug user organisations, families and other stakeholders to provide a range of perspectives.
The Summit will also include a Sydney forum to be held on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December,
