Following the proposal to bring a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility to Dubbo Labor Candidate for Dubbo, Stephen Lawrence has pledged his full support towards the project.
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"I am very well aware of the fantastic work the Lyndon Community has been doing for many years," Mr. Lawrence said.
"I have been personally involved in helping Aboriginal people to access the service.
"It is so exciting that there are moves to extend their good work to Dubbo and I fully support it."
Earlier this week the Lyndon Community announced they had been working with organisations across government and non-government including the legal sector in Dubbo to develop suitable drug and alcohol treatment options for the Dubbo community.
Mr Lawrence said this initiative is also important given the high crime rates of the Dubbo area.
"We have long suffered from double the state averages in terms of crime numbers," he said.
"Yet we have been woefully inadequately serviced in terms of rehabilitation options.
"Our people have to travel 200-400 kilometres to access residential rehabilitation services for example. This is unacceptable.
"Drug and alcohol rehabilitation services need to be viewed as what they are, important crime fighting measures and we are not getting our fair share."Mr. Lawrence noted that the current proposal is for a daytime rehabilitation program, to be funded by the federal government using Indigenous Advancement Strategy funds.
He called for the Member for Dubbo Troy Grant to commit to allocating state government funds towards the area: "This looks like an important first step but what is also needed is a full time residential rehabilitation facility to allow people struggling with addiction to completely remove themselves from temptation and focus on recovery."
"I know from personal experience working with such people that the road to recovery is long and hard."
"We need to make sure we are doing all we can to help people and to protect the community from the effects of drugs.
"We don't want ice addicts roaming the streets committing crime.
"We want them in a full time facility recovering from this terrible drug.
"I am calling upon Troy Grant to commit as Deputy Premier to the funding needed for the establishment of a full time residential rehabilitation centre in the Dubbo area."
Mr Grant provided the following statement in response: "I have the Minister for Mental Health coming to the electorate on Wednesday 28 January, to discuss all mental health and drug and alcohol needs for the electorate," he said.
"I will be making announcements following that time."
