A Queensland first in the fight against ice

The Queensland Government has taken a ground-breaking step in its fight against ice with the establishment of live-in recovery units to support families involved in the child protection system to overcome ice issues so they can stay together or reunite.

In a first for Queensland, Minister for Child Safety Shannon Fentiman said Lives Lived Well will receive $1.7 million in funding over three years to support the operation of Family Recovery Units at their Logan House Recovery Centre at Chambers Flat.

“We know only too well that ice continues to tear Queensland families and communities apart,” she said.

“Far too often we see behaviours stemming from ice misuse and dependence playing a role in family dysfunction, breakdown and conflict, leading to involvement with Child Safety.

“In a Queensland-first, families will have access to a targeted, tailored and family focused residential rehabilitation program, with individual units provided to each family for six to eight weeks.

“The program will include drug and alcohol treatment and intervention as well as family therapy, positive parenting, trauma support, family development support and case management.

“Lives Lived Well will work with high risk families to overcome their addictions and stay together as a family or, for parents who are subject to a child protection order, work towards reunification with their children.

“This is a critical and monumental step in our unwavering fight to tackle the scourge of ice that continues to impact Queensland families.”

In the year to March, one third of the children who needed protection had at least one parent using ice.

“We know that this drug is having a devastating impact on families and children, especially in the ice corridors where its use is rising among young parents, mostly with children under age five,” Ms Fentiman said.

Lives Lived Well will also deliver support to families through an interim live-in support model using temporary accommodation during construction of the units, which are scheduled for completion in August 2018. 

The units will be constructed through funding provided by the Federal Government and Lives Lived Well.

Ms Fentiman said the funding formed part of the Queensland Government’s commitment of $7.4 million over three years to support the Action on Ice initiative recently announced in the State Budget.

“Action on Ice also includes $5.4m funding for non-government organisations in up to 10 locations to deliver training to help members of families of ice users get the facts, develop strategies and find out where to access help and support,” she said.

“Service providers from across the state will be trained to deliver the program.

“We are getting the balance right in being tough on parents using ice, in protecting at-risk children and in making sure support services are funded and resourced to help.

“Tackling the use of ice by parents will create a safer, stronger Queensland community and help keep our kids safe.”

ENDS

Media Contact:                                  Ron Goodman                        0427 781 920