OUR SECRET REHABS

REVEALED: Drug services hidden in Geelong’s burbs

SECRET drug rehab centres are springing up across Geelong to help deal with the region’s spiralling drug crisis.

The Geelong Advertiser has learned a number of drug rehabilitation facilities are lawfully operating in the region, in ordinary homes, under residential permits.

Rehabilitation provider Habitat Therapeutics, which runs two undisclosed clinics in South Barwon, says its services are being stretched to the limit and it is turning away an average of three users every day.

Habitat director Jim Tatlock said his private clinics operated “completely within the law”.

“There’s no permit to apply for with the size of our ones,” he said. “It’s completely OK to do.” Mr Tatlock confronted Department of Health officials in a bid to streamline the region’s share of a $10 million Victorian Government cash splash to combat the prevalence of ice use. After speaking to officials, he believes the funding will not be secured for a number of years.

“It sounds like they’re dragging their toes on it,” he said.

“I’m getting about three phone calls every day from people who are extremely desperate — threatening to take their own lives — but we just can’t take them in.

“We have to say no to 99 per cent of the people who call.”

Earlier this year, Geelong council quashed a proposal by Habitat Therapeutics to establish a 12-bed rehab centre in Highton after an outcry from residents.

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association statistics revealed 130 people died from overdoses in the Geelong region between 2009 and 2016 — the highest figure outside of Melbourne.

Reformed drug user Karl Waters claimed more support services were required to quell the city’s rising consumption of ice, Valium and Xanax.

Mr Waters lost a decade of his life gripped by the drug speed. Since voluntarily admitting himself to rehab and turning over a new leaf, the Geelong local has called for more support services to be established across the region.

“It doesn’t matter if they’re run as residentials, this is something the community needs,” he said.

“I felt my life spinning out of control ... and rehab saved me from death.”

As part of the Andrews Government’s plan to help iceusers, a residential treatment centre will be opened in the Barwon region.

When first promoting the funding, Mr Andrews said it would take the number of publicly funded drug rehab beds in Victoria from 250 to 340.