“The need for Drug and Alcohol residential rehabilitation services is a State wide issue so the new facility will be helping to meet a priority need for Aboriginal clients.”

“The program will also have strong emphasis on community integration and support for residents once they finish their 3 month program, as well as look at providing employment and skill based programs to try and provide an avenue for residents to obtain employment.” He said.

Darren Ah See the CEO of WACHS

See NACCHO News previous article about WAHS  It should be noted that this facility has not been funded to address the “Ice” issue which has become a major problem across NSW.

NACCHO Health News :Ice addiction is overtaking alcohol as the biggest problem facing Indigenous populations

Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (WACHS) is opening a new Drug and Alcohol residential rehabilitation facility in Moree.

The new facility will have a new name “Maayu Mali” (meaning Make Better), with a whole new beginning. WACHS are currently in the process of fitting out the building and have utilised local trade’s people with an anticipated opening of the facility in August 2015. WACHS tendered for the project in partnership with St Vincent de Pauls Society who operate a number of residential rehabilitation services around NSW.

The facility will be an inpatient program which will cater for up to 14 male and 4 female residents at any one time. Residents will require to detox prior to being assessed for the 3 month program.

St Vincent de Paul Society will be coordinating the setting up of the Clinical Governance Committee which will be vital in providing high level advice and support to the specialist areas of operations within the service. WACHS will also be looking at a Stakeholder engagement consultation in the near future to look at linkages and support from the local community in relation to all aspects of the services operations.

Applications for the Manager and Aboriginal Health Workers have recently closed. WACHS will be recruiting to the Managers position in the first instance after which up too 9 AHW’s will then be recruited. The Staff will undertake an intensive 4 week induction program. WACHS will also be recruiting a full time cleaner / cook and a trainee administration officer in the near future.

“WACHS would like to acknowledge the support and acceptance from the majority of the Moree community in developing the new service to cater for a big need in Moree and surrounding region. All positions are Aboriginal identified and WACHS want to ensure appropriate linkages and ongoing education is provided within the Moree community.” Said Mr Ah See

WACHS have had consultations with the Aboriginal Community and Pius X since the Funding Agreement for the facility has been signed off. WACHS are currently in discussions with Pius X to develop a service level agreement to broker PHC services for the residents of the new facility. Consultations have been undertaken with representatives from Armajun AMS, Tamworth AMS, Pius X AMS, and Walgett AMS to develop an Aboriginal Advisory Committee to provide advice on the operations for the new facility.