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The Border Watch : March 1st 2019
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2 NEWS VISIT US ONLINE borderwatch.com.au CALL FOR DETOX: Mount Gambier drug campaigner Evelyn Gordon and Rosslyn Wren took to the streets this week calling for a dedicated rehabilitation and detoxification centre in Mount Gambier. Campaigner continues call for dedicated detox facility RAQUEL MUSTILLO DRUG rehabilitation campaigner Evelyn Gordon has welcomed the Federal Government’s $3m funding pledge, but has strengthened calls for a dedicated detox clinic in the region. Armed with placards, Ms Gordon took to the street ahead of Federal Minister Greg Hunt’s Mount Gambier visit for increased funding for mental health. The Mount Gambier resident has been a prominent campaigner after her daughter fell into the world of ice addiction. Ms Gordon was pleased with funding for Uniting Communities to deliver their drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, but expressed concerns around how addicts would use the service. She said a local detox and rehabilitation centre would not only help harmful drug users, but also families affected by drugs. “At the moment, there are a lot of things happening and different scenarios, but none of them are really working well,” she said. “If we had an actual rehabilitation or crisis centre, someone could walk off the street into the centre and we directed in the right way.” Drug campaigner Kate Amoroso backed Ms Gordon’s calls for a residential rehabilitation facility. “I welcome the announcement and congratulate all those involved who worked to secure the funding,” she said. “I will continue to lobby hard to help deliver what we need and what families in our community are asking for.” FUNDING WINDFALL: Uniting Communities chief executive Simon Schrapel and executive services manager Robyn Sutherland discuss their major funding commitment for drug and alcohol rehabilitation services with Mark Lovett. Support beneficiaries MUSTILLO RAQUEL journo1@setimes.co raquel@tbw.com.au s of a $3m cash injection for drug and alcohol support programs have welcomed the Federal funding windfall, saying it provides surety for service providers, advocacy groups and the community. Service provider Uniting Communi t ies and the REHAB PLEA: Hand-written placards welcomed attendees of Wednesday night’s health forum. Substance Misuse Limestone Coast were announced as the recipients of funding addressing the need for rehabilitation services throughout the region. Uniting Communities chief executive Simon Schrapel said the $825,000 per year over the next three years would allow the not-for-profit to continue and build on the existing New Roads program. Home detox - which will be delivered in conjunction with a GP and include withdrawal services, medical support and treatment plan will be one of two components of the program. The non-residential rehabilitation program incorporates relapse prevention, recovery and individual counselling. “It is a very intensive pro- gram over a number of weeks,” Mr Schrapel said. The benefit of this announcement is that we will be able to hit the ground running pretty quickly in terms of being able to start recruitment Uniting Communities chief executive Simon Schrapel “We have figured out what people need, particularly for people living in their own homes, is a level of structure.” “The benefit of this announcement is that we will be able to hit the ground running pretty quickly in welcome $3m funding Major commitment provides support for South East rehabilitation services terms of being able to start recruitment. “We’ll be getting some specialist councillor staff as well as nursing staff, which will actually improve our work in the community.” Substance Misuse Limestone Coast’s Judy Nagy said the Federal Government’s $175,000 contribution would help the group continue their education and treatment programs and training for professionals. She said the volunteer group funded a training session for frontline professionals and had previously funded a trial at a secondary school encouraging youth resilience. Ms Nagy said the group, which covers the entire region, was also working with the seven constituent councils to identify service providers and stakeholders in a bid to create small programs. “This funding for three years is really important for us because it gives us surety and allows us to get the job done,” she said. Convicted offenders receive ability to vote NEW ©2019 Subway IP LLC. Subway® is a registered trademark of Subway IP LLC. 741339 2 - The Border Watch, Friday, March 1, 2019 19 FRESH INGREDIENTS FALL IN LOVE WITH LUNCH AGAIN CONVICTED sex offenders, serious drug offenders and rapists will all be able to vote at the next state election in 2022. After three deadlock meetings, the Labor Party has decided to back criminals in their right to vote, which is not consistent with federal election laws. Attorney-General Vickie Chapman, made a final pitch to the Labor Opposition on Wednesday during a deadlock conference but the Labor Party would not budge. “What is abundantly clear to me is the Labor Party are backing in serious criminals to vote at the next State election, a privilege which is afforded to law-abiding citizens,” Ms Chapman said. “Because of the Labor Party’s intransigence, convicted sex offenders such as Vivian Deboo will be able to vote at the next State Election in 2022 but unable to vote in this year’s Federal election. “Mr Malinauskas and the Labor Party have to explain why they are allowing offenders convicted of manslaughter, criminal neglect, rape, unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 14, arson and serious drug offences, depending on what sentence they are given, the right to vote.” Under the Marshall Government’s proposed changes to prisoner voting, criminals serving a sentence of three years or more will not be able to vote at the next State election. “We strongly believe that people who commit serious crimes should not be allowed to vote for the duration of their sentence,” Ms Chapman said.
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