New centre is long overdue

DRUG and alcohol addiction does not discriminate.

It permeates through all layers of society, regardless of status, wealth, occupation or upbringing.

Unfortunately, regional areas can be some of the most deeply-affected when it comes to addiction.

Over the past decade, news coverage of the scourge of ice addiction, particularly in some of the country’s smaller regional towns, has been widespread. If you have never had to look into the eyes of a parent, desperate to help their child who has fallen into serious addiction, you can count yourself as lucky.

The damage substance abuse has on families can be absolutely heartbreaking and last for a lifetime.

While Cairns has a wonderful, warm and welcoming reputation, our vibrant tropical city certainly isn’t immune to the problem.

Which is why today we celebrate the news that a $9 million drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre will soon be built in Cairns, thanks to a funding announcement by the Federal Government.

Mission Australia has been chosen to run the centre because of its extensive experience in drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and a 20-year history working in the Far North.

Previously, the closest rehabilitation centres for Far Northern residents were a centre built in Townsville in 2017, operated by the Salvation Army, or Shanty Creek, a small centre near Mareeba catering for indigenous people suffering from addiction.

The new Cairns centre can’t be up and running and helping people soon enough. News director Sian Jeffries