‘It’s scary’: Cairns residents react to new youth drug rehab plans
Plans to build a youth drug rehabilitation centre in a Cairns suburb have met serious concern from nearby residents who fear an escalation of criminal activity.
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A PLAN to construct a new purpose-built youth drug rehabilitation centre in Edmonton has been met with serious concern from nearby residents who fear an escalation of criminal activity in the area.
Last month Queensland Health published details of the 10-bed residential rehabilitation centre planned for 26-28 Mount Peter Rd.
The youth alcohol and other drug centre will share in a $51m funding allocation with similar facilities in Bundaberg and Ipswich.
Problematic substance use will be tackled by a multi-agency response to be run from the site that will target needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and families, according to Queensland Health information.
But not all residents are convinced the facility is the right fit for suburban Edmonton.
Long-time local Robin Moule is one.
“It’s just so hard, I know things need to happen but it’s just a worry to us because it’s in our area,” she said.
“Awful things are going on as it is and this is going to make more things happen.”
A Queensland Health spokeswoman said construction timelines were being finalised for buildings at the 7,725 sq m site which realestate.com.au has listed at “off market.”
According to Core Logic data the state does not yet own the residential-zoned land.
The facility is expected to provide residential stays of up to three months for 13 to 18-year-olds.
According to Queensland Health the new youth alcohol and other drug treatment service will support young people to kick drug habits through “specialist and intensive residential” support.
“It will contribute to meeting the demand for services in northern Queensland, with Cairns as a central and supported location to deliver services from and support clients and families across the region,” health documents state.
Given the limited control youth workers have in the Cairns residential care homes Ms Moule feared the impact of drug-addicted youth on an area identified by police as a youth crime hotspot.
“It’s scary,” she said.
“I just don’t know what control (staff will) have with it, the people that do this care have very little control.”
Queensland Health has invited community feedback on the proposed centre which can be submitted by emailing AOD_CapitalProjects@health.qld.gov.au.
It is estimated the new service will employ up to 30 full-time equivalent positions.
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