Southern Aboriginal Corporation (SAC) and Cyrenian House Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Service are partnering to lobby government for funding to establish and operate a residential AOD rehabilitation facility in Albany.

Background 

In 2016, SAC lead community engagement to find potential solutions to address the substance abuse epidemic in the region. Engagement included: 

• A series of community meetings attended by 73 people
• A written survey with 224 respondents; and
• A two-day community drug forum involving community, government agencies and Aboriginal health workers with over 100 attendees. 

The results of the consultation identified the following substances as the most problematic in the community: 

1. Methamphetamine
2. Alcohol
3. Marijuana 

Since then, SAC has been working to identify opportunities to set up and deliver a residential AOD rehab for local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. 

Why partner with Cyrenian House? 

Cyrenian House has over 4 decades experience as a not-for-profit alcohol and other drug treatment service. Cyrenian House provides a continuum of care to people affected by AOD issues, including regionally in Nannup, 

Cyrenian House is accredited under the: 

• Alcohol and Other Drug Human Service Standard; and
• Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association Standard for Therapeutic Communities and Residential Rehabilitation Services 

Proposed model

• Beds for single men
• Beds for single women
• Cottages for mums with children
• Low medical withdrawal beds
• On-site counselling, medical services, detox, cultural and healing activities and support for families
• Services embedded in cultural safety and connection to culture and Country 
• Opportunities to link into SAC’s comprehensive suite of programs, including: Housing and tenancy management; Family Violence Prevention Legal Services; Indigenous Skills and Employment; Family Dispute Resolution; Aboriginal Rangers; and Health Promotion. 

What we are hoping to achieve 

• Reduced rates of hospitalisation for drug-related illnesses, causing long term health impacts or early death 
• Intergenerational drug use in families
• Reduced rates of incarceration for drug-related offences
• Reduced levels of drug-induced family violence destroying families
• Reduced safety risks to young children in drug-dependent homes, leading to reduced rates of children removed from their families and placed into care
• Reduced negative impact of substance abuse on spiritual health and mental and physical wellbeing 

How can you support us? 

Please sign our petition attached to show your support. This will help us demonstrate community want for a residential AOD rehabilitation facility to government.