Gunnedah push for regional drug, alcohol detoxification centre

Gunnedah will join the chorus of community support throughout the North West NSW region to secure more drug and alcohol support services.

Gunnedah Shire Council agreed to write to the NSW Premier, the NSW Minister for Health, and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson to advocate for the repurposing of the soon-to-be vacant Banksia building at Tamworth Base Hospital into a drug and alcohol detoxification centre.

The former mental health Banksia facility is being transferred to a new purpose-built centre in Tamworth – freeing up valuable medical real estate, potentially for a detoxification centre.

Drug and alcohol addiction treatment often covers detoxification (washing out of the substance from the body), rehabilitation, counselling and medicine.

Although there is limited access to drug and alcohol outreach services, Gunnedah shire mayor Colleen Fuller said most people are forced to travel to Newcastle for treatment – if they’re lucky.

Such is the demand, some from the Gunnedah area seeking drug and alcohol support have been forced to look even further afield – almost interstate.

“I spoke to one person who was going to Victorian border,” Cr Fuller said.

“That’s after waiting weeks to get in.

“So many people are frustrated they can’t go and get help.”

Cr Fuller held a strong desire to see people access the drug and alcohol support they need – not necessarily in their local town – but at least in the area not far from home.

The Gunnedah mayor said Tamworth Regional Council has already moved a motion along similar lines to affirm support for a detoxification centre.

She said health is the “number one focus” for the Country Mayor’s Association – which advocates for rural, regional and remote local government areas. Meanwhile, Cr Fuller expected to raise the issue with Narrarbri Shire Council as well at an upcoming meeting.

Mr Anderson has previously pledged his support for the centre’s re-purposing. He said the facility’s location adjacent existing medical services and short distance to the emergency department, made it the perfect fit for a detoxification centre.