"Rehab has changed my life."
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That was the message Cyrena Harris wanted to get across to Dubbo Regional Council and the Dubbo Christian Minsters' Association on Friday.
The DCMA has formally backed a push for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Dubbo. Religious leaders from across the city came together on Friday to sign a Declaration of Support for a centre to be constructed in Dubbo.
In an emotional speech to the ministers, council representatives and members of the public, Ms Harris also spoke about the importance of a rehabilitation centre.
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The Dubbo resident has firsthand knowledge of the difference rehabilitation and detox can make, having been through rehabilitation five times and detox three.
But Ms Harris said she never gave up.
"[Rehab] gave me tools to help me fix my life, along with Jesus," she said.
"They helped me get some normality back into my life, they taught me again what I had forgotten. How to look after myself properly. They taught me to be thankful, they taught me to put routine back into my life.
"I am healing on country and as an Aboriginal woman that means a lot to my strength, my spirit and I think God is working through all of us for this rehab to go ahead."
Ms Harris said anyone could have things go wrong in their life, end up on the wrong path, and need a rehabilitation facility.
DCMA president Archdeacon Brett Watterson said Dubbo's church ministers had been helping people who were suffering for years. He said they were aware of the need for a rehabilitation and detox facility so supporting council's push was a "no-brainer".
"At this point in time a detox and rehabilitation centre is a principal and we're not down to the fine tuning of that but as a principal, I don't think there's anyone in Dubbo, whether they're part of the ministers' association or not, can't see that there's a need for such a facility," Archdeacon Watterson said.
"It's something we all see a need for."
Archdeacon Watterson said he hoped the document would give weight to the cause when council was talking to other levels of government.
"We're a few people but we represent a lot of people. Each of us represent a lot of people in our community, we're not just here for ourselves," he said.
After signing the declaration, the religious leaders and representatives helped plant a Japanese Elm in Victoria Park.
Avenues for funding a drug detox and rehabilitation facility in Dubbo "are being considered", NSW Heath Minister Brad Hazzard told the Daily Liberal earlier in the month.
The federal government has pledged $3 million towards the centre, while council has offered to provide the land, but funding is still needed from the state government to make the facility a reality.