Andrew O’Keefe to spend six months in Connect Global rehabilitation centre
Fallen TV game show host Andrew O’Keefe will spend the next six months with 19 other men at a Christian-orientated rehab centre. Take a look inside the waterfront facility.
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Andrew O’Keefe is set to spend the next six to 12 months at a waterfront men’s rehabilitation centre in NSW.
The fallen TV game show host was granted bail to tackle his drug and alcohol issues at the Christian-orientated Connect Global charity rehabilitation centre in Swan Bay, near Port Stephens, north of Newcastle.
Connect Global Ltd states on its website that it provides “respite, peace and rejuvenation within a supported environment, to men whose lives have been devastated by drugs and alcohol abuse”.
The facility says it caters for up to 20 men on a long-term basis, where they have 24/7 supervision, access to case workers, psychologists and doctors, as well as group classes.
“Each program is tailored specifically to an individual’s needs … Participants will learn about substance abuse and how to move on in life without it,” the organisation’s website states.
“We believe that God’s desire for a man is to thrive in areas of maturity, decisiveness, consistency and strength. Our program has a holistic approach that will actively foster mental, emotional, spiritual and physical healing, restoring dignity to each participant.”
The centre’s mission “is to equip men to live a Christ centred connect life of change. Resolving the devastating effects of substance addiction on the lives of individuals, their families and their communities”.
O’Keefe has traded in his 2m by 3m remand cell at Silverwater Jail for a self-contained cabin surrounded by palm trees on the banks of the Karuah River, where he will have access to a swimming pool, tennis court, gym, fishing and kayaking.
The property features a big shed-like structure complete with big fireplace, where it appears the men gather for shared meals and to talk.
The former Deal or No Deal host was granted bail to attend the rehab centre by Justice Robert Hulme in the NSW Supreme Court and has already been spotted at a service station on his journey to the facility.
Justice Hulme said rehab centre was a good opportunity for O’Keefe after a descent into an “erratic and chaotic lifestyle”.
O’Keefe has been on remand since he allegedly grabbed a former sex worker by the throat, punched her and pushed her to the ground in January.
He was previously refused bail after another judge, Justice Robertson Wright, ruled that his proposed three-week stint in rehabilitation was inadequate. This time his lawyers increased it to at least six months and up to 12 months.
Under the terms of his bail, O’Keefe must stay at the rehab centre for six months, take any medication prescribed to him and see a psychiatrist and psychologist.
O’Keefe, who has a history of using ice and cannabis, has been charged with six offences. He has pleaded not guilty to all, including intentionally chocking a person without consent, three counts of common assaults and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He is set to face court again in June.
He plead guilty to one charge of possessing a prohibited drug and is yet to be sentenced.
After 17 years at Channel 7, the former Weekend Sunrise and game show host left the network in February last year after his expired contract was no renewed.
Originally published as Andrew O’Keefe to spend six months in Connect Global rehabilitation centre
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