Ice rehab takes a hit

A HUGE increase in demand from ice users is putting a strain on rehabilitation providers.

Clients using the drug now account for 34 per cent of the Salvation Army’s business on the Gold Coast, compared to 16 per cent five years ago.

Salvation Army Drug and Alcohol Services operations manager Gerard Byrne said demand was dwarfing the funding provided for ice support services.

“We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people who experience problems in relation to the use of ice and also concurrent mental health problems,” said Mr Byrne, adding they would see 300 to 350 ice users on the Coast this year.

“The level of funding needs to keep pace with … demand.

“The greater the demand, the more drain there is on existing resources and we’re finding that that’s the issue for us. We are feeling the pressure of being able to provide more and better services to people with complex and multiple needs.”

Mr Byrne said waiting lists for the Salvation Army’s outpatient services at Southport as well as detox and residential centres at Mount Tamborine would continue to blow out without more funds from the public as well as the state and federal governments.

“The point at which a person steps forward for assistance is probably the most productive point in time to be able to provide them with a service,” he said.

A Queensland Health spokesman said the department was committed to tackling ice use on the Coast, funding agreements with organisations like the Salvation Army to the tune of $2.164 million.

“We’re responding with more funding, targeted service responses, workforce development and training, and community engagement,” he said.

“In addition to $1 million in annual funding to the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service for their ice response, we purchase a range of alcohol and other drug treatment services from specialist non-government providers.

“This funding enables them to increase their capacity to meet ongoing demand and expand service options.”

A Gold Coast Health spokeswoman said the organisation had hired three new staff recently for its Drug and Alcohol Brief Intervention Team in response to the need for ice related services.