Aboriginal organisation to lead withdrawal service in the Kimberley
- Wunan awarded to deliver a low medical withdrawal service in Kununurra
- First Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation to deliver this service in WA
- Service will be place-based, holistic, and culturally appropriate
Wunan has been engaged to deliver the first-of-its-kind Aboriginal community-controlled low medical withdrawal service in Kununurra, Western Australia.
The service will provide the local Kimberley community with a safe place to withdraw from alcohol and other drugs, and stabilise before receiving further treatment.
It will also provide treatment options to support people experiencing co-occurring issues with alcohol and other drugs, and mental health.
The establishment of this low medical withdrawal service in the Kimberley will address an existing gap in services, as identified in the Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025.
Comments attributed to Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"This first-of-its-kind low medical withdrawal service in the Kimberley will provide support to local people with alcohol and other drug issues.
"A safe, culturally appropriate and secure place to receive treatment is vital to support people's recovery from issues with alcohol and other drugs, and their mental health."
Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"This unique service will provide treatment options to support people with alcohol and other drug problems in Kununurra.
"Specialist alcohol and other drug community treatment services in rural and regional areas are essential to support the needs of local communities."
For mental health, alcohol and other drug support and information call 'Here For You' on 1800here4u (1800 437 348) from 7am to 10pm, 7 days a week.
13YARN is a national crisis support line offering a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter, who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For other helplines, visit: mhc.wa.gov.au/helplines.
In an emergency, call 000.