Victorians facing long delays for drug addiction treatment under new scheme

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People seeking treatment for drug addiction are facing lengthy delays because of a new centralised registration system, the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) has said.

People had to register for drug and alcohol treatment through 16 local catchment areas under changes put in place in September 2014.

VAADA executive director Sam Biondo said resources have been put towards the establishment of the new system at the expense of drug treatment programs.

“That has, in some ways, debilitated the resources for that face-to-face contact and counselling,” Mr Biondo said.

VAADA will make a submission to the Victorian Government calling for $40 million in next year’s budget for the sector, saying that the $2.3 million set aside for the transition was not enough.

Mr Biondo said the changes to the system have meant delays across the system.

“The courts and the police have frustrations in securing access to treatment services for their clients,” he said.

“Mums and dads have difficulty with their children getting access when they need it.

“Individuals who have got the wherewithal to make the approach are being told to wait their turn.”

He said it is more than just teething problems.

“We’re dealing with complex people, complex systems which couldn’t be done overnight, which were required to be put in place really rapidly with minimal resource support,” he said.

Victoria’s Minister for Mental Health, Martin Foley, said the changes introduced by the previous government had led to delays.

The Government did not say how much money it would provide, but said it would consult with drug and alcohol support providers to determine what funding was needed to reduce waiting times.

“I will continue to work with my department and the alcohol and drug treatment sector to fix this mess,” Mr Foley said in a statement.