Plans for addiction treatment program in Fiji

THE Salvation Army is planning to set up an addiction treatment program in Fiji early next year.

This was announced yesterday by the organisation’s divisional commander Major Alister Irwin.

He said talks for the New Zealand government to fund the program had been very positive.

He said the plan was to employ Fijians to work within the addiction treatment program.

Mr Irwin said they were also trying to sign a memorandum of understanding with the St Giles Psychiatric Hospital.

“We recognise that there is a big link between mental health and addiction.”

Mr Irwin will be one of the speakers at Leadership Fiji’s National Dialogue on Substance Abuse which will be held at the University of the South Pacific today.