A new 12-bed drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility planned for Glenelg is expected to begin operating within weeks, with final development approval granted by Planning Minister Nick Champion.
The decision to grant a change of use to the building means the Glenelg facility can begin operating as a voluntary therapeutic drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation service once the final paperwork is completed.
Uniting Communities is expected to begin welcoming residents into the facility in the coming weeks.
It forms part of a $25.1 million Malinauskas Labor Government investment to deliver more drug and alcohol rehab and detox services, including an additional 12 beds in metropolitan Adelaide.
The Glenelg rehabilitation service will be delivered by experienced practitioners as part of a multi-disciplinary team at Uniting Communities, with staff on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Residential rehabilitation is a voluntary, abstinence-based program. Those going through the program are committed to change and recovery and would have demonstrated this during an extensive pre-planning and preparation phase prior to admission to the facility.
It will be a safe, alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free environment where people are supported to learn constructive coping strategies for addressing their long-term recovery.
Residents will be guided through proactive steps to address their dependency issues including counselling, goal setting, and building life skills.
The final development approval follows a decision last month by the Supreme Court to refuse an application against the plans.
The court ruled that Health Minister Chris Picton had correctly applied the provisions of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 when supporting and endorsing the facility as ‘essential infrastructure’, prior to referring it to the State Commission Assessment Panel for consideration.
Quotes
Attributable to Chris Picton
I am extremely pleased that this important health facility has been given the green light to go ahead. It is a much-needed service that will help the many people in our community actively choosing to overcome alcohol and drug dependency.
This facility will provide a drug-and-alcohol-free voluntary program for South Australians who want a healthier future.
Substance dependency and misuse are issues that can affect anyone and we should all provide compassion and support.
It is deeply disappointing that Liberal Member for Morphett Stephen Patterson waged a misinformed scaremongering campaign against this facility, adding to the stigma and shame felt by people who battle with addiction.
Unlike the Liberals, we want to help South Australians taking brave and proactive steps to break the cycle of alcohol and drug dependence.
Attributable to Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia Statewide Clinical Director Dr Victoria Cock
This decision will ultimately help to improve the lives of many South Australians by supporting them in their journey to address drug and alcohol dependence.
The service will provide an evidence based and holistic approach to treatment to best support people wanting to address dependence concerns and achieve long-term recovery.
It is essential to recovery that, while receiving this treatment and living in a supported environment, people are interacting with the wider community to build connections and everyday life skills.
Attributable to South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services (SANDAS) Executive Director Michael White
SANDAS and our members welcome the prompt decision by the Minister for Planning to approve this important facility. This service will go some way to addressing the significant shortfall in treatment available for South Australians. I congratulate the State Government for investing in services to help South Australians seeking to overcome alcohol and drug dependency issues.
The final outcome represents a significant victory over the stigma and discrimination that people seeking treatment for alcohol and drug use regularly face.
