❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the closure of an alcohol diversion program in Balgo, petrol sniffing issues, and collaboration with the NT government regarding the Rabbit Flat Roadhouse. The Minister denies the program's closure and outlines ongoing efforts to address these issues.
AnsweredQoN 1814Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Why has the State Government allowed the alcohol diversion program that was previously in place in the Balgo Community to close?
(2) Does the Minister accept that an alcohol diversion program, especially among the vulnerable youth of this community, is an essential part of the range of responses from government needed in this community?
(3) What additional steps will the State Government take in the Balgo area to respond to the growing problems associated with the rise of petrol-sniffing?
(4) Will the State Government take steps to enlist the assistance of the Northern Territory Government in tackling issues associated with the sale of petrol and alcohol from the nearby Rabbit Flat Roadhouse just across the WA/NT border along the Tanami Road; and
(a) if not, why not?
(2) Does the Minister accept that an alcohol diversion program, especially among the vulnerable youth of this community, is an essential part of the range of responses from government needed in this community?
(3) What additional steps will the State Government take in the Balgo area to respond to the growing problems associated with the rise of petrol-sniffing?
(4) Will the State Government take steps to enlist the assistance of the Northern Territory Government in tackling issues associated with the sale of petrol and alcohol from the nearby Rabbit Flat Roadhouse just across the WA/NT border along the Tanami Road; and
(a) if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 November 2009
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health
Response time
23 days
(1) The Drug Diversion Program servicing Balgo has not been closed.
The WA State Government funds the Kimberley Community Drug Service Team to operate a number of juvenile and adult diversion programs. The programs are targeted towards illicit drugs, but many people with alcohol problems also access these services. The services continue throughout the Kimberley, including Balgo, and have not ceased. Additionally, the Community Drug Service Team and or North West Mental Health Services offer visiting services to Balgo at approximately three week intervals.
(2) Yes, that is why the drug diversion program continues to be supported.
Establishing and maintaining connection of young people with education, recreation and culture is important. Where those connections are broken, initiatives to re-establish those connections as soon as possible are very important. This is why the State Government is working with the Australian Government to try to ensure that actions such as the youth service are effectively provided.
(3) The State Government is a key partner with the Australian Government in the East Kimberley Petrol Sniffing Strategy. The strategy includes rapid response protocols for reported instances, including verification. Service providers have been working with police and other local service deliverers in the Balgo community to deal with the matter.
(4) Government is aware of the sale of petrol and alcohol from Rabbit Flats and a number of agencies are working together (WA Police, Drug and Alcohol Office and the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor) with the Northern Territory Government to respond to the associated impact in Western Australia. Based on this collaboration, regarding alcohol, some voluntary restrictions on the quantities of liquor sold have been put in place in the short term while other alternatives are being explored.
(a) Not applicable.
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The WA State Government funds the Kimberley Community Drug Service Team to operate a number of juvenile and adult diversion programs. The programs are targeted towards illicit drugs, but many people with alcohol problems also access these services. The services continue throughout the Kimberley, including Balgo, and have not ceased. Additionally, the Community Drug Service Team and or North West Mental Health Services offer visiting services to Balgo at approximately three week intervals.
(2) Yes, that is why the drug diversion program continues to be supported.
Establishing and maintaining connection of young people with education, recreation and culture is important. Where those connections are broken, initiatives to re-establish those connections as soon as possible are very important. This is why the State Government is working with the Australian Government to try to ensure that actions such as the youth service are effectively provided.
(3) The State Government is a key partner with the Australian Government in the East Kimberley Petrol Sniffing Strategy. The strategy includes rapid response protocols for reported instances, including verification. Service providers have been working with police and other local service deliverers in the Balgo community to deal with the matter.
(4) Government is aware of the sale of petrol and alcohol from Rabbit Flats and a number of agencies are working together (WA Police, Drug and Alcohol Office and the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor) with the Northern Territory Government to respond to the associated impact in Western Australia. Based on this collaboration, regarding alcohol, some voluntary restrictions on the quantities of liquor sold have been put in place in the short term while other alternatives are being explored.
(a) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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