Drug team silent on Busselton rollout

St John of God Bunbury’s South West Community Drug Service Team has confirmed it will expand outreach services to Margaret River, but has declined to comment on its plans for the City of Busselton.

Media reports this week said the service would expand its outreach programs throughout the region, with Margaret River receiving the additional services first and Busselton and Collie to follow.

The team declined to confirm the rollout of the program into Busselton, but said an announcement would be made next week.

Studies this week revealed Bunbury was WA’s drug capital after water from treatment plants across the State were tested, with tests from the Bunbury treatment plant showing the highest meth use per capita.

South West Counselling director Karen Somerville said she supported any additional service that would assist people dealing with drug issues.

“Any service that provision that can support people affected by drug and alcohol misuse is so important and essential,” she said

Also supportive of additional services in Busselton was Carol-Lyn Mills, who has been actively campaigning for drug and alcohol support for more than 10-years.

Ms Mills acknowledged there were some social services available in Busselton, but said there needed to be something specifically for people with addiction problems.

“The drugs problems have gotten worse and worse, and there’s nothing for it in Busselton,” she said.

Ms Somerville agreed the number of people with drug issues had increased since she had begun working in the region.

“Anecdotally I would say a number of our clients have drug issues that sit alongside other issues that they come to us for,” she said.

“Certainly over the last 4 1/2 years I have been here, the issue of drugs and methamphetamine use has increased.”

Ms Somerville said providing services to people affected by drug use, including their loved ones, was a necessity.

“Often we may not see the person that has the issue, but we may see partners, families, children and those who are affected by the drug use,” she said.

“Any increase in service provisions can only be a good thing.”