Territory Alliance promises drug rehab facility in greater Darwin to help ice addicts, if elected

A dedicated rehabilitation centre for Territorians addicted to the drug ice will be built in the Greater Darwin region within the first 100 days of a Territory Alliance government, the party has promised.

A DEDICATED rehabilitation centre for Territorians addicted to the drug ice will be built in the Greater Darwin region within the first 100 days of a Territory Alliance government, the party has promised.

It’s hoped the drug rehabilitation facility, based on the “Matrix model” implemented in other jurisdictions, including South Australia, will provide early community-led intervention treatment to reduce the Territory’s startling abuse of methylamphetamine.

Territory Alliance Leader Terry Mills at Invision NT Carpentry and Joinery. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

“With the Northern Territory having the highest rate of ice addition in the nation, consuming an estimated 75 kilograms a year, we need decisive action to stem the tragic consequences of more and more people falling into the misery of addiction,” party leader Terry Mills said.

Under the model, patients would receive 16 to 20 weeks treatment through an “integrative outpatient” system run by trained psychologists.

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According to the party’s policy paper, the program provides “group-based structured education and cognitive behaviour therapy skills co-facilitated by a recovered user with lived experience and individual counselling sessions to set goals and review progress”.

Patients will access treatment through referrals from GP’s and health care providers or as part of the Illicit Drug Pre-Court Diversion Program.

Territory Alliance candidate for Spillett Vanessa Mounsey, who has worked with people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, said the Matrix model was the “best way” to treat people with dependency issues due to its emphasis on understanding the underlying causes of addiction.