By KATH GANNAWAY
TRYING to get a handle on what services are available in Yarra Ranges for drug users and for families affected by drug use is not simple or conclusive.
The Mail’s plan to print a comprehensive list of the services available town by town has proven problematic.
The timing is out with a ‘recommissioning’ by the government of services across the state putting the whole sector in a state of flux.
Basically the services are up for tender, with a push for larger consortiums. In the meantime some services are no longer available.
“Are you talking about right now, or after the ‘recommissioning’ … because after the recommissioning, nobody really knows what services will be available, or if they will be centralised, outreach or some other model,” is how one provider put it.
EACH (Eastern Access Community Health), Anglicare, Inspiro Health and Yarra Valley Community Health (Eastern Health) are among the main players in providing drug and alcohol counselling and rehabilitation services in Yarra Ranges.
Larger providers are seeing the ‘revamping of the sector’ in a more positive light pointing out that the existing service provision is hard to navigate and that people in need of multiple services can fall through the gaps.
Smaller providers such as the Maroondah Addictions Recovery Program (MARP) have pulled out of the race as an independent and merged under larger umbrellas.
The conversations “off the record” reveal other concerns – such as no methodone program in Healesville. Anyone needing that service must go to Wandin or Lilydale.
“The community still has very punitive views which often means chemists, and even GPs don’t want to offer a service that is seen as bad for business, or for their staff,” one provider told the Mail.
Rehabilitation is another problem with long waiting lists, and according to one provider, closing off waiting lists, for residential treatment.
A spokesman for the Minister for Mental Health and Community Services Mary Wooldridge told the Mail the outcome of the recommissioning for drug and alcohol services would be announced in the near future.
There are services still running in Healesville, Yarra Junction, Belgrave and Lilydale.
The ‘help line’ numbers published in last week’s Mail remain the best at this stage.
Direct Line 1800 888 236 is a 24/7 first response information and referral help line for users and others impacted by drug use.
SURE (Substance Use Recovery Eastern) 1300 007 873 offers counselling for ICE and other addictions. Business hours.
