Thursday, 24 March 2022

Morwell electorate

Mr NORTHE (Morwell) (14:48): (6292) My constituency question is directed to the Minister for Mental Health. Minister, what is the latest information with regard to the state government increasing the number of alcohol and drug detox beds in the Latrobe city catchment and the wider Gippsland region? I was recently contacted by one of my constituents who is concerned for the welfare of a family member. Despite being linked into services with local alcohol and drug providers, the family has been advised there are simply no detox beds available in our local hospitals to help the person commence their recovery. This is not a new issue. Some three years ago a number of local forums were hosted by Rotary, and I quote Rotarian Dr Len Cairns, who said in part at the time:

There are no detox beds in the Latrobe Valley or at Warragul.

The only questions now being asked in 2022 are: how many detox beds actually exist in Latrobe city, how many detox beds are there in the wider Gippsland region and what are the government’s plans to expand detox beds further in our community?