Budget cash for ice fight
GEELONG will share in about $10 million in State Government funding to fight ice and drug addiction.
Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday announced Tuesday’s Budget would include an $81.1 million investment to fund stage three of the State Government’s Ice Action Plan.
Geelong will receive a fraction of the funding, despite recording more drug deaths than any other part of regional Victoria in the past decade.
The Barwon region will share about $10 million with Gippsland and the Hume re-
The canoe was set alight at the mouth of the Barwon River in 2014, but its base and wheel have been converted into a new sculpture. The work, by original canoe artist Benjamin Gilbert, will be installed at the You Yangs on Thursday.
“It’s a real delight to do gion for building new drug rehabilitation facilities.
Mr Andrews said the Ice Action Plan funding would focus on early intervention and treatment for Victorians trying to kick their dangerous drug habits.
“If you’re ready to end your addiction, then we’re ready to help you,” Mr Andrews said.
The funding will also include $34.8 million to open 30 new rehabilitation beds to support more than 80 patients each year and $12.4 million to expand services for those transitioning in or out of alcohol or drug treatment.
To fight the disproportionate effect of drugs on Aborigi- works that are meaningful and part of a much bigger project,” he said.
Wadawurrung executive officer Byron Powell, who conducted a “cleansing ceremony” at the site, described the initiative as a “a tangible coming together of the old and the new”. nal communities the funding will also include $14.1 million to employ 34 Aboriginal health workers.
The Government also aims to provide almost 1000 treatment places to provide support for people on community corrections orders.
The Geelong region recorded 130 overdose fatalities between 2009 and 2016, the latest Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association statistics show.
It was the highest figure outside of Metropolitan Melbourne, doubling the next highest regional area Greater Bendigo, which saw 65 deaths in the same period.