THE Tasmanian government will pump almost $5 million into tackling ice use in the state, including funding for 12 new drug recovery beds expected to be based in the North-West. Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the investment was aimed at closing a longstanding service gap for alcohol and drug support in the region. The announcement follows a report released in November investigating drug use in the North-West, which strongly recommended increasing availability of residential rehabilitation beds. The funding, to be delivered over four years, will also pay for two new alcohol and drug service specialists in Launceston and Ulverstone. ‘‘The additional investment will make it possible to very positively respond to what we know are service gaps and a growing trend of addiction of all kinds of drugs that is occurring in Tasmania,’’ Mr Ferguson said. ‘‘I believe that we now stand a chance through health reform and this additional investment to genuinely respond to the needs of Tasmanians, providing them with the right health services, at the right locations, at the right time.’’ Tenders for the rehabilitation beds will be advertised later this month, with funding to flow from July. Opposition Leader Bryan Green said the Health Minister had been dragged kicking and screaming into acting on ice addiction. ‘‘Michael Ferguson said it was our latest plaything when we talked about what we were hearing from the community about crime and the social problems occurring as a result of people taking this insidious drug,’’ Mr Green said. ‘‘Now that he’s recognised the problem, the government has to act appropriately to ensure that people are helped through what is an extremely difficult problem associated with addiction.’’ Salvation Army regional manager Anita Reeve said anecdotal evidence showed that the number of Tasmanians using ice, and the frequency of their drug use, was increasing. Mr Ferguson said the funding would also help address gaps in data collection on drug use.
THE Tasmanian government will pump almost $5 million into tackling ice use in the state, including funding for 12 new drug recovery beds expected to be based in the North-West.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the investment was aimed at closing a longstanding service gap for alcohol and drug support in the region.
The announcement follows a report released in November investigating drug use in the North-West, which strongly recommended increasing availability of residential rehabilitation beds.
The funding, to be delivered over four years, will also pay for two new alcohol and drug service specialists in Launceston and Ulverstone.
‘‘The additional investment will make it possible to very positively respond to what we know are service gaps and a growing trend of addiction of all kinds of drugs that is occurring in Tasmania,’’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘‘I believe that we now stand a chance through health reform and this additional investment to genuinely respond to the needs of Tasmanians, providing them with the right health services, at the right locations, at the right time.’’
Tenders for the rehabilitation beds will be advertised later this month, with funding to flow from July.
Opposition Leader Bryan Green said the Health Minister had been dragged kicking and screaming into acting on ice addiction.
‘‘Michael Ferguson said it was our latest plaything when we talked about what we were hearing from the community about crime and the social problems occurring as a result of people taking this insidious drug,’’ Mr Green said.
‘‘Now that he’s recognised the problem, the government has to act appropriately to ensure that people are helped through what is an extremely difficult problem associated with addiction.’’
Salvation Army regional manager Anita Reeve said anecdotal evidence showed that the number of Tasmanians using ice, and the frequency of their drug use, was increasing.
Mr Ferguson said the funding would also help address gaps in data collection on drug use.
