THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MEMBER FOR SYDNEY
THE HON CATHERINE KING MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND MEDICARE
MEMBER FOR BALLARAT
THE HON MATT THISTLETHWAITE MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR TREASURY
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR AN AUSTRALIAN HEAD OF STATE
MEMBER FOR KINGSFORD SMITH
LABOR PLEDGES $12 MILLION FOR YOUTH DRUG & ALCOHOL TREATMENT
A Federal Labor investment of $12 million will enable the Ted Noffs Foundation to expand its drug and alcohol treatment services for young people.
This election will be a choice between a united Shorten Labor Government which will take care of the vulnerable in our community, or more of the Liberals’ cuts and chaos.
Labor’s funding will allow Ted Noffs Foundation to open a new residential treatment facility for teenagers aged 13 to 17.
The facility will offer a 3-month residential program including counselling, family support, vocational education, life skills, and sport.
The residential treatment program is staffed by professionals specifically trained in working through trauma, challenging behaviours, and complex needs.
The Foundation already operates successful residential facilities in Randwick and Canberra.
The $12 million commitment will mean the Foundation can open another three ‘street universities’.
Street universities are non-residential treatment services that deliver drug and alcohol interventions, mental health programs, life skills training, mentoring, and bridging programs to further education.
Existing street universities in Sydney, Canberra, and Queensland help thousands of young people every year.
Locations for the new services will be chosen based on need.
The Ted Noffs Foundation provides clinically proven adolescent drug treatment, and they produce results.
Evidence suggests ice users tend to start in their teens and treatment is more effective the earlier it begins.
We must ensure young people struggling with drug and alcohol problems receive the help they need to get well.
Labor can invest in these critical health services because unlike the Liberals we aren’t giving bigger tax loopholes to the top end of town.
SATURDAY, 27 APRIL 2019