Outreach treatment for Ice addicts comes to Yass

LOCAL drug users addicted to Ice will be able to access a new mobile treatment service in Yass soon.

Still in the early stages, the program has yet to determine how often it will visit this area but if the need is substantial, services might be provided two or three days per week, a spokesperson told Scoop.

“It will be community-driven, we have yet to figure out what need there is in Yass; if it turns out there is a great need there, it might be two or three days per week.

“We will rely a bit on people using social media or calling us to ensure all their needs are met.”

The service is open to the families of Ice users who need support as well as those wanting treatment themselves.

The new treatment service operating out of Goulburn will open as part of the NSW Government’s investment in NGO Ice treatment services in rural and regional communities.

Member for Goulburn Pru Goward announced this week Directions ACT Alcohol and Drug Services, in partnership with the Ted Noffs Foundation, had been awarded the $1.4 million contract, over four years, to deliver new adult and youth-specific treatment services in Southern NSW.

Ms Goward said the service would be based in Goulburn with mobile and flexible outreach services to surrounding areas including Yass, Braidwood, Crookwell, Gunning and Collector.

“This outreach is critical to making it easier for people to get the help they need particularly when they are feeling isolated and unsupported,” Ms Goward said.

“NGOs play a vital role in extending the reach of services and have a unique ability to deliver services and target care for users, particularly for rural and regional communities.”

Directions ACT and the Ted Noffs Foundation will partner to provide specific responses to youth with ice addiction in the local area.

Ms Goward said she has attended Ice forums in Goulburn and Bowral, and spoken to too many families whose lives have been torn apart because of Ice.

“They have told me that often the distance to treatment services is a major barrier to seeking help. This new outreach treatment service will help to tackle the tyranny of distance for people seeking help in Southern NSW,” Ms Goward said.

Goulburn is one of three pilot areas for the NSW Government’s new Ice treatment services in rural and regional communities.

With Goulburn MP Pru Goward (centre) is Fiona Trevelayn, Directions ACT CEO and Mark Ferry, Ted Noffs Foundation CEO. PHOTO: Supplied