The Tasmanian Government has earmarked $4.8 million in its upcoming budget for drug and alcohol support, with a specific focus on tackling the drug ice.
The funding, to be delivered over four years, will create 12 new residential rehabilitation beds and two new specialist positions with the Drug and Alcohol Service to be based in Launceston and Ulverstone.
Health authorities have estimated up to 10 per cent of people in Smithton on the far north-west coast use the drug.
They said the region desperately needed a specialised drug rehabilitation service to deal with the problem.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the initiatives were designed to close a service gap in the north-west of the state.
“The additional investment will be make it possible to very positively respond to what we know are service gaps, and a growing trend of drug addiction of all kinds of drugs that are occurring in Tasmania,” he said.
The funding for beds will be allocated through an open tender process, but Mr Ferguson said organisations will be urged to submit proposals which focus on the north and west region.