Rehab, detox clinics ‘bursting’ with users

Alex de Vos
Geelong drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres are bursting at the seams amid rising demand, according to clinic managers.
They reported waiting lists for Geelong detox and rehab centres had increased to three months over the past year as patients sought treatment for addictions to a cocktail of drugs including ice and ecstasy.
Youth Substance Abuse Service executive director David Murray said Geelong admissions had “escalated”.
“Our residential unit in Geelong is getting very busy,” Mr Murray said.
“More and more young people are getting into trouble and they’re queuing up for treatment.”
Mr Murray said the increase could also be attributed to a recent spike in celebrity meltdowns.
He believed mass media coverage of stars like Britney Spears and Ben Cousins undergoing treatment might have encouraged Geelong youths to seek help.
“The celebrity aspect certainly normalises treatment,” Mr Murray said.
Salvation Army Geelong Withdrawal Unit’s Duncan Morris said his clinic was also experiencing an “extraordinarily” busy period.
“Our waiting list is up to five weeks,” Mr Morris said.
“This is the longest waiting list we’ve ever had.
“We try to keep it at a week but there’s been a huge increase over the past year.”
Mr Morris said a streamlining of the referral process has also increased the waiting list.
“The intake process has improved and it’s now easier for people to enter the program.”
Mr Morris said the Salvation Army’s six-bed unit had stopped taking bookings.
Foundation 61’s Rob Lytzki said his organisation’s rehab clinic was equally busy.
“We admit at least six addicts a week,” Mr Lytzki said.
“We turn away another half a dozen a week – we’re always busy.”
He said patients were mostly addicted to heroin, ecstasy, ice, marijuana and alcohol.
“Ecstasy is one that’s showing its head quite a bit nowadays,” Mr Lytzki said.
“Ice is also quite a problem.
“We get a lot of poly-users as well who will use just about anything they can get their hands on.”