TAKING ACTION ON ICE AND OTHER DRUGS

Labor Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, has today welcomed new investment in to stage three of the Ice Action Plan.
The Andrews Labor Government is stepping up the fight against ice and drug addiction, with new rehabilitation beds and thousands more treatment places and counselling services for Victorians.
As part of the Victorian Budget 2017/18, $81.1 million will be invested in stage three of the Ice Action Plan with a focus on early intervention and treatment for Victorians struggling with dangerous drug use.
With an investment of $34.8 million, 30 new rehabilitation beds will be opened, supporting over 80 patients a year, as well as treatment places and counselling services for 3800 Victorian parents, working to reunite them with their children and loved ones.
This investment will provide a 60 per cent increase on the number of beds funded by the previous Liberal Government.
The Labor Government will also provide 960 treatment places for people on community correction orders to get the support they need to get back on their feet.
Recognising the impact of drugs has a disproportionate effect on Aboriginal communities, $14.1 million will employ 34 Aboriginal health workers to address this drug use head on.