NTG defends youth rehab funding in face of ‘national emergency’ criticism from peak body
The Territory Government has defended funding levels for youth rehab services after the sector’s peak body slammed the rate of alcohol abuse in the NT.
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THE Territory Government has defended funding levels for youth rehab services after the sector’s peak body slammed the rate of alcohol abuse in the NT as a “national emergency”.
Association of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies NT (AADANT) executive officer Peter Burnheim said ongoing high levels of youth crime were inevitable unless more was done to break the Territory’s intergenerational cycle of addiction.
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But Alcohol Policy Minister Natasha Fyles said the government recognised the role rehab and support played in stemming youth crime.
“That’s why we committed to delivering $750,000 in funding per year for youth AOD rehabilitation,” she said.
“We have also delivered $200,000 annually for youth AOD grants to community organisations like Palmerston Basketball and YMCA Katherine.
“The Territory Government is focused on funding frontline services such as CAAPS youth services and BushMob. We will also establish a new youth AOD service in East Arnhem by the end of this year.”
In its alcohol and other drugs youth project report, the AADANT highlighted what it said was a lack of AOD services in Don Dale and the need for a 24/7 drop in centre in Darwin.
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It is understood Aboriginal Health Service Danila Dilba runs a “transitional” AOD support service in Don Dale but questions to the Minister’s office about the nature of the program and what other services were available were ignored.
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