Beenleigh CBD drug rehab clinic expands to offer cannabis

A drug and alcohol rehab clinic, which has been the target of angry southside businesses, is expanding its services to include medicinal cannabis therapy.

A drug and alcohol rehab clinic, which has been the target of angry southside businesses, is expanding its services to include medicinal cannabis therapy.

Pharmaceutical Rehabilitation Services on City Rd, Beenleigh, will provide the only specialist cannabis treatment in Logan.

The move has angered local business owners who have called for the clinic to be relocated away from shops and local schools.

A billboard outside the PRS drug and alcohol clinic in Beenleigh.

More than 50 medicinal cannabis clients have used the service since it started in February and the clinci said its clientele was growing.

It is run by Dr Guy Wright, one of only a “a handful” of medicinal cannabis prescribers in Australia approved under the Federal Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Dr Guy Wright will run the medicinal cannabis clinic from the premises in Beenleigh.

Prior to the clinic starting the therapy in February, chronic pain sufferers or patients who needed cannabis, had to travel from Logan to the Gold Coast or Brisbane for medicinal cannabis.

Pharmaceutical Rehabilitation Services director Lachlan Foord said there was a valid need in Beenleigh for the medicinal cannabis which was sanctioned by the federal government.

PRS owner Lachlan Foord inside the pharmacy at the clinic, which will now stock medicinal cannabis.

He said his pharmacy and clinic could dispense the cannabis to patients on the spot without the need for prior approval or referral.

“If your medical record shows that you have already explored standard treatment options for your condition, Dr Wright will be able help get you started on an appropriate medicinal cannabis treatment plan pretty quickly,” he said.

“There are illicit options for a range of medications but the service we offer is a fully legal and approved and there is a valid need for it.

“This ensures people get a pure product at the right dose and it’s not laced with anything.

“This is the correct way to administer this drug.”

Mr Foord acknowledged the NDIS outlet downstairs from his clinic was locking its doors to keep out patients from the drug rehabilitation centre.

The NDIS is downstairs from the clinic.

Neighbouring business owner Darren Black from Blacks Locksmith, said he was incensed when told the clinic was expanding to include cannabis services.

He said police were called in May after a man, rejected from the clinic, was venting his anger at pedestrians on the street.

“We have endured more than two years of drugged people yelling and abusing our customers,” he said.

“This is in the wrong place and other shop owners in the area have asked all three tiers of government to move it — so it was disheartening to hear the business was actually expanding.

“This business is just bringing more drug addicts into the CBD which should be for businesses and shoppers and not people on drugs.”

Pharmaceutical Rehabilitation Services is a medical centre and pharmacy specialising in holistic care for mental health and drug addiction.