The Coalition Government is extending the National Ice Action Strategy, investing more than $343 million over four years in the ongoing fight to reduce the impact of ice, other drugs and alcohol bringing the total investment in treatment services and programs to $830 million.
Included in the new funding announced by Minister Greg Hunt is continued funding for Murray Mallee General Practice Network (MMGPN) to continue their alcohol and other drugs programs in the Murraylands.
In 2019, Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin secured a funding agreement worth $1.75 million for Murray Mallee General Practice Network to deliver drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs in the Murraylands community.
“With the 2019 funding agreement due to end in June this year, I have been advocating for further funding to see MMGPN continue their great work in our community. This new funding of more than $500,000 p.a. means the organisation and their clients can have certainty going forward,” Mr Pasin said.
“The initial funding announced in 2019 was a big win for our community and has translated into tangible benefits for individuals and their families,” Mr Pasin said.
“Together with national initiatives, this additional investment means the Murraylands region specifically is benefiting from more than $2.7 million of Federal Government investment in community-based solutions to tackling alcohol and other drugs in our local community,” Mr Pasin said.
Baptist Care SA which operates residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation for young people ‘Tumbelin Farm’ in the Mount Lofty Ranges also received funding to continue their State-wide alcohol and other drug services.
Since its inception in 2016, the National Ice Action Strategy has helped thousands of people gain access to treatment programs and supported communities across Australia to tackle local drug and alcohol issues with local solutions.
Comments attributable to MMGPN Clinical Lead – Lisa Courtney
“We were delighted (and very relieved) to receive Tony’s call that the funding for our AOD program has been approved for the next two years. Over the last few years, we have seen how needed this service is and how lives have been changed as people change their relationship with drugs or alcohol and mental health. Being able to continue to offer a wraparound, evidence-based service to our community and see the benefits of this makes doing this work so worthwhile. To see people flourish and grow, build new relationships, and be able to live addiction free is something that our team is passionate about.
“We are incredibly grateful for Tony’s support in being able to highlight our region’s need, advocate, and ultimately secure ongoing funding. Tony and his team have been proactive in ensuring that our community continues to have access to services that are so desperately needed.
“We’d also like to acknowledge and thank our clients and other agencies that provided testimonials and support to show the need and help keep this service going.
ENDS.
