Residential rehab reality a step closer
A PLANNING team has been put in place and more focused consultation with the community and stakeholders is set to begin on the much anticipated new drug and alcohol rehab centre for Dubbo.
Last year, state and federal governments stumped up funding to build the new centre on land provided by Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) and a NSW government tender process will be used to appoint an operator to deliver the rehabilitation service.
Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) Mental Health Drug and Alcohol project manager Alanna Hinrichsen said that after work in 2021 to finalise funding and identify site options, more detailed planning has commenced.
“This is going to be a great asset for people in our region who need support to address their harmful drug and alcohol use,” Ms Hinrichsen said.
“This is a substantial project, and we’ll be working closely with partners in health and other sectors to make sure it offers a service and environment that makes everyone feel safe, respected and gives them the best possible chance for their rehabilitation both in the centre, and as they return home.”
The planning team includes Dubbo and Region Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Hub Manager Vicky Scott and District Coordinator for Aboriginal Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Donna Stanley and the goals are to deliver a service that’s accessible, inclusive and culturally responsive, to develop a design that meets the needs of the range of people who will use the service, and to develop plans for withdrawal and rehabilitation that are clinical and medical best-practice.
“To achieve that we’ll need a lot of input from stakeholders, including the general community and people who have lived-experience of drug and alcohol withdrawal and rehabilitation,” she said.
“In early 2022 we’ll be meeting – both in person and virtually – with those groups to capture their input. There will be more information about how individuals and groups can help inform our planning in 2022.”
The centre is anticipated to start operating in 2023.