A DRUG and alcohol rehab has opened its doors in Tamworth looking to make headway in the region’s substance issues.
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Rosalie House on Marius St has already put a group of locals through its six week day-program and manager Nicole Laupepa says it has brought “real healing” to the community in its short existence.
Mrs Laupepa said “there’s not one particular substance that would stand out above the rest”, but added ice and alcohol were prominent issues.
She said 80 to 90 per cent of the Tamworth service’s first participants had been women.
“What we’re doing here isn’t just about working with women with alcohol and drug issues, what we’re able to do, if I can put a name to it, is we work around trauma,” she said.
“For a lot of these mothers, they’ve either experienced removal from the family unit themselves or have current removal regarding their children.”
Mrs Laupepa said they were already seeing success and there’s no waiting list for people seeking help.
“What we’ve seen, even in a very short period, we’ve seen children restored back to the family,” she said.
“That’s real healing.”
The facility is also running outreach services to more remote communities to wipe out barriers and wait times.
“In certain circumstances around the New England region, if you were to ring up and ask could you go into the detox, there could be a four month waiting list,” Mrs Laupepa said.
“People in a moment of crisis don’t have that time.”
Vinnies senior manager for health David Kelly said there was still a need for a residential rehab service in Tamworth.
“There’s a demonstrable need from the fact Freeman House, generally, has a significant waiting list,” Mr Kelly said.
“There is a residential program an hour and a half from this town.
“I, personally, think there is capacity to have a small residential program in Tamworth.”
Last month, the NSW upper house launched an inquiry into the provision of drug and alcohol rehab services in regional and rural communities.
Mrs Laupepa pinpointed a few reasons for the rehab’s early success with participants coming through its doors.
“It’s also about the participant and about creating a safe place,” she said.
“I think because that environment has been created the participants have committed to their own recovery.
“It’s about their strength and their resilience and courage.”