New building for Kalgoorlie treatment service

• A new premises for the Goldfields Community Alcohol and Drug Service

• The hub for alcohol and other drug services throughout the Goldfields

A new premises for the Goldfields Community Alcohol and Drug Service (GCADS) was officially opened in Kalgoorlie today by Mental Health Minister Helen Morton.

The GCADS, which is operated by Hope Community Services (HCS), provides alcohol and other drug treatment and prevention services for people in the Goldfields region from offices based in Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Leonora.

Mrs Morton said that since 2011, when HCS began operating the service, the GCADS had been working from smaller premises in Kalgoorlie leased from Bega Garnbirringu Health Service. Bega provided the facility as part of their commitment to assist HCS to establish the GCADS service.

"The Kalgoorlie GCADS office is the hub for alcohol and other drug services throughout the Goldfields, and while use of the Bega building was instrumental in getting the service off the ground, it is pleasing that they now have a facility that will allow GCADS to reach its full potential," she said.

"This new premises has much more space and includes dedicated counselling and group rooms, a staff room and work areas, which improves conditions not only for clients and families visiting the service, but for staff.

"A medical treatment room has also been designed and fitted out for doctors working at GCADS as part of the Community Program for Opioid Pharmacotherapy."

The fit out of the new premises was undertaken by HCS, and was partly funded with a $450,000 grant from the Drug and Alcohol Office.

Along with the main office in Kalgoorlie, and smaller offices in Esperance and Leonora, GCADS provides outreach to Laverton, Menzies, Norseman, Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun.

In 2013-14, DAO will fund HCS almost $1.65million to deliver the range of services provided by GCADS.  In addition, HCS is also contracted to operate the Rosella House residential treatment service in Geraldton, and other services in the Perth metropolitan area.

Fact File

• The primary drugs of concern for GCADS clients in Kalgoorlie were alcohol (49%); cannabis (25%) and amphetamines (16%)

• People living in the Goldfields can contact GCADS Kalgoorlie on 9021 3069, or Esperance 9071 5169 for alcohol and other drug counselling, information, or referral 

Minister's office - 6552 6900