Published Tuesday, 05 June, 2007 at 02:31 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
$19.36 MILLION DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR QLD YOUTH
The Beattie Government will boost treatment and rehabilitation services for Queensland young people with significant drug-related health problems, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson said this year’s State Budget included $19.36 million in funding over four years to establish the Youth Substance Misuse Treatment Program in high-risk locations.
“Since 2000, our hospitals have seen a 50% increase in the number of admissions for methamphetamine psychosis,” he said.
“The Beattie Government is determined to discourage as many Queenslanders as possible from using illicit drugs such as ‘ice’ but we also need to strengthen our drug treatment services.
“The additional funding of $4.84 million a year over four years will provide for treatment and rehabilitation of young people experiencing complex problems related to their illicit and other drug use.
“It will support public and non-government drug treatment services and other interventions to address amphetamine use.”
Mr Robertson said the outcomes of the Ice-Breaker Taskforce review of treatment services would help inform exactly where and how these additional treatment services will be delivered.
“This funding will ensure that we have more clinicians and more beds dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of young people,” he said.
“Illicit drug use, including amphetamine type substances, is associated with significant health and social harms like depression, anxiety and criminal behaviour.
The Youth Substance Misuse Treatment Program supports the Beattie Government’s ICE-Breaker Strategy which focuses on the prevention, treatment and law enforcement of the drug, ‘ice’.
5 June, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson said this year’s State Budget included $19.36 million in funding over four years to establish the Youth Substance Misuse Treatment Program in high-risk locations.
“Since 2000, our hospitals have seen a 50% increase in the number of admissions for methamphetamine psychosis,” he said.
“The Beattie Government is determined to discourage as many Queenslanders as possible from using illicit drugs such as ‘ice’ but we also need to strengthen our drug treatment services.
“The additional funding of $4.84 million a year over four years will provide for treatment and rehabilitation of young people experiencing complex problems related to their illicit and other drug use.
“It will support public and non-government drug treatment services and other interventions to address amphetamine use.”
Mr Robertson said the outcomes of the Ice-Breaker Taskforce review of treatment services would help inform exactly where and how these additional treatment services will be delivered.
“This funding will ensure that we have more clinicians and more beds dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of young people,” he said.
“Illicit drug use, including amphetamine type substances, is associated with significant health and social harms like depression, anxiety and criminal behaviour.
The Youth Substance Misuse Treatment Program supports the Beattie Government’s ICE-Breaker Strategy which focuses on the prevention, treatment and law enforcement of the drug, ‘ice’.
5 June, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680