Yesterday, the Wunan team was thrilled to unveil the Kimberley Withdrawal and Intervention Centre, and the new facility has quickly drawn attention from several state and local media outlets, including the Kimberley Echo, the WA State Government, and the Mental Health Commission. Separate pieces are also being produced for radio by ABC Kimberley and Waringarri Media.
Check out the full media roundup below, with links to all the articles and an excerpt from the Kimberley Echo piece.
East Kimberley residents will have another option rather than having to travel to Perth or Darwin for detox treatment with the opening of the first medical alcohol and drug withdrawal service in Kununurra.
The WA Government has provided $7.8 million for the six-bed Kimberley Withdrawal and Intervention Centre which will be run by Aboriginal development organisation the Wunan Foundation.
The six-bed centre is designed to provide a place that people can withdraw from alcohol and drugs and stabilise under medical supervision before receiving further treatment.
The aim is to help people with mental health as well as drug and alcohol-related issues to remain close to home and stay connected to their community.
The service will be managed by Wunan Health GP Dr Stephanie Trust.
The opening of the service comes after sustained community calls for more drug and alcohol treatment options for people in the Kimberley following the introduction of a revamped Banned Drinkers Register in December last year.
The BDR bans people who have committed an alcohol-related offence from buying takeaway liquor. People can also be referred to the BDR by a medical or social worker, or do so voluntarily.
There were 1023 people on the BDR in the Pilbara, Goldfields, Kimberley and Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction as of September 13. That included 435 from the Kimberley.
Kimberley health and social workers have expressed concern that there are limited wrap-around services to help people that have been placed on the BDR.
Up until now, there was no dedicated alcohol withdrawal centre in the East Kimberley. Instead, people who needed to detox from alcohol had to do so at home with the support of their GP, or go to Darwin or Perth to undergo both withdrawal and rehabilitation.
In Kununurra, most people end up in the emergency department if they are having delirium tremens or another serious reaction to alcohol or drug withdrawal.
Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the opening of the withdrawal service, “maps a new direction for intervening in alcohol and drug issues in rural and regional areas of Western Australia.”
“As an Aboriginal community-controlled withdrawal service, Kimberley Withdrawal and Intervention Centre will provide a safe space for people withdrawing from alcohol or other drugs,” she said.
Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna said the centre would allow patients to stay connected to community and local support.
“I’m proud the Cook Government has delivered this important service for the Kimberley community.”