Government moves to help people with mental illness and drug problems

10/4/01
Health services for people with drug problems and a mental illness should be better co-ordinated, Health Minister Bob Kucera said today.
Mr Kucera told a Comorbidity Forum that services for people suffering from co-existing mental health and substance abuse problems - or 'comorbid' disorders - were being improved.
"Up to two-thirds of mental health patients use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs problematically," he said.
"As many as 80 per cent of dependent drug users experience some level of mental distress.
"It is vital that all sectors work in partnership to respond to these problems - to ensure patients receive co-ordinated and holistic care.
"Services must address the complexity of every individual patient to treat people - not just conditions."
Participants represented at the Comorbidity Forum include patients, carers, alcohol and other drug service agencies, mental health services and general practitioners.
Mr Kucera used the forum to launch the Health Department's new Alcohol Drugs and Psychiatric Treatment (ADAPT) program, which focuses on collaborative partnerships between the sectors.
The Minister said the ADAPT program had been introduced to enhance the health sector's ability to respond to clients experiencing comorbidity problems.
It had been funded through the WA Health Department's Mental Health Division.
Media contact: Fran Hodge (08) 9213 7000