Program targets youth battling dual problems

Jessica Benton
A NEW health program in Geelong is assisting young people with “complex” drug and alcohol problems.
The St John of God Hospital and Barwon Youth officially launched the Youth Outreach Program on Wednesday.
The program has helped more than 30 youths from Geelong and the Surf Coast since beginning in August.
The two service providers joined forces in 2007 to help youths struggling with a range of problems related to the use of alcohol and drugs in Geelong.
Barwon Youth’s Salli Hickford said the new Youth Outreach Program went one step further, focusing on support for “complex care” cases of youths with dual diagnoses such as drug abuse and brain damage.
“For many young people, the relationship between substance use and their mental health or acquired brain injury can mean a cycle of services offering short-term support based on assessing them on what could be provided rather than what they need,” she said.
“This new service aims to engage young people in a long-term, therapeutic relationship in which we can look at all the issues they present with.”
St John of God Hospital chief executive Stephen Roberts said the program targeted “key areas” of concern for Geelong.
“As an organisation, we’re committed to providing services in key areas of need in the community through our social outreach and advocacy program,” he said.