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WA government launch 24/7 meth helpline

13 Sep WA government launch 24/7 meth helpline

Posted at 13:01h in In the Media, Print by

The state government has launched the first ever 24/7 helpline dedicated to helping meth users.

Mental Health minister Andrea Mitchell said the service was crucial to easing Western Australia’s methamphetamine crisis.

“I urge people with meth-related issues to call the Meth Helpline and talk with the professional counsellors about the treatment and support services available to them,” Ms Mitchell said.

According to the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, the number of regular and dependent meth users in Australia has tripled over the last five years.

The WA Liberal Government launched its Meth Strategy during this year’s State Budget, and the Mental Health Commission allocated $300,000 over two years to the helpline.

Whitehaven program director Tabitha Corser said while the helpline would help as an initial point of contact, the government needed to engage residential rehabilitation if it wanted to fully support recovery.

“We welcome any resources to help counter the proliferation of methamphetamine addicts and minimise the destruction and damage this drug does to families and the greater community,” Ms Corser said.

“But real investment needs to be made at the back end – in rehabilitating people who want to kick their habits.”

The WA Meth Strategy also includes funding for 60 dedicated meth withdrawal and rehabilitation beds – however, Ms Corser said government funded services waitlists are out of control

“Sixty extra rehab beds won’t touch the sides.” she said.

The Minister said she was now happy to have a place to direct desperate families and friends.

“Now I can simply say ‘call the helpline’ and know that the start of something potentially life-changing is just one phone call away for people,” she said.

According to wastewater tests in early August, 31.6 kilograms of methamphetamine was being consumed in metropolitan Perth each week.

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