The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath has called on Mental Health Minister Foley to make the Andrews Labor Government’s promised Latrobe Valley’s drug rehabilitation centre an all age facility in State Parliament last week.
The Andrews Labor Government election promise was to build a residential drug rehabilitation facility for Latrobe Valley targeted at youth aged 16 to 21 years. In contrast the Liberal Nationals promised an all age residential drug rehabilitation facility.
Ms Bath said drug and alcohol addictions do not discriminate based on age, gender, or socioeconomic standing and it seems preposterous that vital services are offered on the basis of age.
“There is a critical need for residential rehabilitation services in the Latrobe Valley and often it is only after some years of addiction that people are willing to recognise their addiction and commit to rehab,” said Ms Bath.
“When people are ready to break the cycle of addiction, we need to ensure supports are there to help them regain their life regardless of their age.
Ms Bath said local constituents are continuing to raise their concerns regarding the need for a residential drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility in Latrobe Valley.
“They are very much in favour of an all age facility,” said Ms Bath.
“Minister Foley must listen to residents of the Latrobe Valley.
“If our local drug and alcohol addictions were confined to youth I could understand the state governments’ agenda, however we know our drug and alcohol problems in the Valley are wide spread in terms of age and other demographics.
“The Minister must take on board the views of the community who are asking for an all age residential rehabilitation for Latrobe Valley.
“I am calling on the Andrews Labor Government to extend their planned drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre to provide support for all ages.”
