Up to 150 young people will be able to break the cycle of drug addiction each year with the creation of the state’s first youth detox facility in the Southern Highlands.
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An official sod-turning ceremony on Friday marked the start of construction of the $3 million purpose-built facility at Missions Australia’s Triple Care Farm.
Expected to be complete by mid 2017, the facility will provide a 28-day substance withdrawal and detox program for 10 young people, aged 16 to 24, at a time.
The program will complement Triple Care’s existing drug services, which include a 12-week residential rehabilitation program and a six-month aftercare program to ensure participants a smooth transition back into the community.
The addition of the detox facility would enable young people to take that ‘’critical first step out of the cycle of substance abuse’’, Mission Australia CEO Catherine Yeomans said.
‘’When a young person experiencing illicit drug or alcohol abuse is motivated to seek change, appropriate detoxification and rehabilitation facilities like this need to be available,’’ she said.
‘’Adult detox facilities are not the right place for vulnerable young people.
‘’For young people with a history of complex illicit substance and alcohol use, we know their situations are more complex, the mental health issues more severe, and the challenges they face to get their lives back on track are increasing.
‘’Coming off addictions, particularly methamphetamines, without medical support can be extremely difficult and dangerous.
‘’This new detox facility will provide intervention and treatment for young people who most need it in an age appropriate environment.’’
The project has been made possible thanks to a $2 million Commonwealth Government grant as well as funds from the Sir David Martin Foundation. The new facility will be named David Martin Place in honour of the former NSW Governor.
Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis said the facility would have a ripple effect on society by reducing addiction to drugs such as crystalline methamphetamine, or ice. ‘’This is the best investment we can make for the social fabric of our community,’’ she said.
NSW Mental Health Minister Pru Goward said early intervention was vital: ‘’We know if we get in early, when people are young, we have a great opportunity to turn their lives around.’’
Former ice addict went through painful detox at home
When James – not his real name – made the decision to get clean, he couldn’t find a detox facility where he felt safe.
In his early twenties, the former ice addict did not feel comfortable sharing a room with someone twice or triple his age while he went through detox.
‘’The turning point came one day late last year when my mum broke down.''
In the end – and with the unwavering support of his mother and GP – he went through the intense, and often painful, process at home.
He’s now in the next phase of his recovery, taking part in Triple Care Farm’s 12-week holistic rehabilitation program.
On Friday, he spoke of his struggles at a ceremony for the new youth detox facility at the Southern Highlands farm. It’s a facility he wishes had been available for him.
‘’I was in the grip of substance abuse, of methamphetamines, for six years,’’ he said.
‘’The turning point came one day late last year when my mum broke down – I knew drugs were affecting me but I hadn’t realised until then how badly they were affecting my family.
‘’But I couldn’t find a detox facility I felt comfortable in – to have to share a bedroom and bathroom with a man in his sixties in an adult facility was really confronting.
‘’And most of the facilities were in the city which was not ideal – as the city is where I was using and it was a major trigger for me – so I ended up detoxing at home.
‘’If this facility was built it would have been perfect. This will change the drug culture in Australia because youth currently have nowhere to go where they feel safe.’’
James said he feels like he’s got his life back on track. ‘’I was living day by day – now I’ve got my whole life ahead of me again. And I’ve discovered how much happier and healthier I can be without the drugs.’’
