Youth alcohol and other drug rehabilitation centre at Edmonton service contract awarded to YETI
New details on how a contentious youth alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre slated for south Cairns will work have been revealed.
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A contract for the running of a youth alcohol and other drug rehabilitation centre has been awarded to a Far North organisation, with the facility expected to be operational by 2025.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service on Friday announced it had awarded the service contract to a local support agency, for the $19.3m residential centre at Mount Peter Rd, Edmonton.
Youth Empowered Towards Independence, a specialist non-government organisation, funded by both federal and state governments, will operate the 10-bed rehab centre, expected to be completed late 2025.
The facility, announced in 2020, is expected to “provide vital support to young people with complex needs who are experiencing problematic substance use”.
The centre’s facilities will be complemented by non-residential programs, with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, after the model of service was developed through consultation with key North Queensland stakeholders, including First Nations elders.
CHHHS chief executive Leena Singh labelled the centre, currently under construction, as a “game-changer”.
“Young people attending the residential rehabilitation program will receive care in a safe, structured home-like environment, free from drugs, with 24/7 on-site staff supervision,” she said.
YETI chief executive officer Genevieve Sinclair said the organisation was pleased to be awarded the contract to deliver both the residential service and non-residential programs, which would be provided from a separate premise in Cairns for young people aged up to 25 years.
“This will be a collaboration with our key partners at the Youth Support and Advocacy Service, and Gindaja Treatment and Healing Indigenous Corporation,” Ms Sinclair said.
“Under the service model, YETI will lead the project and provide drug and alcohol services for young people in the community.
“YSAS, experts in delivering residential treatment programs in Victoria, will manage the residential rehabilitation centre.
“Critically, local Yarrabah-based organisation, Gindaja Treatment and Healing, will contribute cultural expertise to ensure that our service is culturally safe and accessible.”
Ms Sinclair said she believed the service would significantly improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for young people facing alcohol and drug-related challenges.
“It will ensure that young people in Cairns and surrounding areas can access alcohol and drug support when they need it most.”
CHHHS mental health and alcohol other drugs service director Wade Norrie said residential-styled services were highly effective in allowing for earlier access to care and helping reduce stress on families of those seeking care.
“The residential program will include a range of intensive treatments and therapeutic activities to support young people’s recovery and a return to community living,” he said.
“Supports include co-ordinated access to learning with dedicated onsite Department of Education staff and specialist mental health treatment and care delivered by the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.”
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Originally published as Youth alcohol and other drug rehabilitation centre at Edmonton service contract awarded to YETI
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