Dec 17, 2018
Unveiling the plaque: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, the Hon Michael McCormack, with Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen (left) and the Hon Di Farmer, State Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.
Queensland families will have access to a unique drug and alcohol support service starting in the new year, following the official launch of our Family Recovery Units at Logan House on 12 December.
The program makes it possible for parents to receive support, while their young children stay with them on site in the two and three-bedroom units.
Parents can access wrap-around support on site at Logan including specialist alcohol and drug counselling and information, group sessions and parenting, life and health support, whilst having appropriate care arrangements set in place for their children.
The opening was jointly conducted by the Hon Michael McCormack, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, the Hon Di Farmer, State Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; along with Lives Lived Well Chair Damian Wright. The Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen and the Acting Logan Mayor, Cherie Dalley also attended.
The Australian Government invested $986,000 in the construction of the units, jointly funding it with Lives Lived Well, which contributed more than $1M. The Queensland Government has committed to providing $1.7M in funding over three years to support the operation of the family alcohol and drug recovery program at the units.
Speaking at the launch, Mr McCormack said he knew Logan House, set among gum trees in Logan’s rural southwest, would be a special place.
“People will look along this deck at this beautiful view and will see there is hope, there is a future. They will experience the warmth of the counsellors here, people who will share their expertise, their care, their compassion, their love and it will make a difference.”
Lives Lived Well Chair Damian Wright expressed gratitude for the funding support of both state and federal governments.
“This funding allows us to work closely with families to turn their lives around after the harms and disruption of alcohol and drugs,” Mr Wright said.
Dec 17, 2018
Opening our new space: From, left Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles, Lives Lived Well Board Members Raylee Taylor and David Tapsall, Senator James McGrath, Lives Lived Well Board Chair Damian Wright and Lives Lived Well Clinical Services Manager Leah Tickner.
Almost immediately after opening the doors of our Brisbane North service early in 2017, our staff were receiving referrals four times higher than predicted. Recognising this high demand for alcohol and drug support services in the region, the Federal Government announced an additional $11M in funding for the service in June 2018. That funding has now been put into action, with the opening of our new service for drug and alcohol support in Caboolture.
The extra funding has enabled Lives Lived Well to significantly boost the level of support we provide to people affected by the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs, including methamphetamine (ice).
Part of this funding will go towards constructing a 20-bed live-in recovery residence, due for completion in 2019.
Lives Lived Well CEO, Mitchell Giles said “the addition of withdrawal and rehabilitation day supports puts extra counsellors in the field and means more support for more people at different stages of their recovery over a longer period.
“Since opening in late 2016, our Brisbane North services have supported 1813 people, including 570 from the Caboolture area. Most named methamphetamine (ice) as their primary drug of concern, with alcohol and cannabis also presenting strongly,” Mr Giles said.
“In some ways this is a positive sign. It means people are recognising that they have a problem and are comfortable in coming forward for support. That step alone takes courage.”
People wishing to access our support services can refer themselves online or phone 1300 727 957 (QLD) or 1300 596 366 (NSW).
Nov 9, 2018
The services come as a result of funding announced by the Federal Government in June, which dedicated $11 million dollars towards improved Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) support services in the region.
They will provide a significant boost to the level of support provided by Lives Lived Well for people affected by the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs, including methamphetamine (ice).
As a part of this funding Lives Lived Well will also be constructing a 20-bed live-in recovery residence, due for completion in 2019.
Senator James McGrath said the announcement would go a long way in dealing with drugs and alcohol across the Caboolture and Bribie Island region.
“The local community has been calling for additional support services and I’m delighted that the Liberal National Coalition Government has been able to deliver $11 million dollars in funding.
“This funding will help save lives and stop people slipping through the cracks from drugs or alcohol.
“Lives Lived Well is a brilliant not-for-profit organisation and this funding will enable them to continue their work in helping victims and families impacted by drugs or alcohol.
Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles emphasised the importance of these new programs saying the addition of withdrawal and rehabilitation day supports puts extra counsellors in the field and means more support for more people at different stages of their recovery over a longer period.
“Since opening in late 2016, our Brisbane North services have seen 1813 people, including 570 from the Caboolture area. Most named methamphetamines (ice) as their primary drug of concern, with alcohol and cannabis also presenting strongly,” Mr Giles said.
“In some ways this is a positive sign. It means people are recognising that they have a problem and are comfortable in coming forward for support. That step alone takes courage.Lives Lived Well is a not-for-profit support organisation for people impacted by drugs, alcohol or mental health concerns. People who are thinking of addressing their use of alcohol or other drugs can contact Lives Lived Well on 1300 727 957.
ENDS
For media inquiries, contact Michelle Saftich at Lives Lived Well Marketing by emailing [email protected]
Jun 20, 2018
Our support service in Caboolture, on Brisbane’s northern doorstep, has received a boost, with the Federal Government committing additional funding over three years to the region.
Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt visited the service on 13 June to announce the funding. He said the Government’s decision to fund Lives Lived Well was based on the Brisbane North PHN’s needs assessment and acknowledged the work we’ve done in the area over the past 18 months.
We’ve started planning for a day-rehab, an ambulatory detox service, and additional services to complement our existing AOD program. The Federal Government also committed to capital development and funding for a new 20-bed residential facility – the first of its kind in the Caboolture region.
These new services are very much needed in this area. Since opening our Brisbane North Services 18 months ago, we’ve received referrals at a rate four times higher than predicted.
Our Caboolture team has seen 532 people from the area since early 2017, with most naming methamphetamines (Ice) as their primary drug of concern. Alcohol and cannabis also present strongly. About one in three people identify as having a co-occurring mental health condition.
The new Caboolture withdrawal service will be modeled on similar services we introduced late last year in Cairns and Mackay. These services are a vital stepping stone for people when they reach out for help to address problematic use of alcohol or drugs.
May 28, 2018
Lives Lived Well has relocated its Cairns operations to larger premises at 139 Sheridan Street and added transitional accommodation to its support services.
Previously located in Martyn Street, the centre also provides a day program for drug or alcohol withdrawal support, community re-entry for people exiting corrective services, and intake assessment for the Shanty Creek residential facility.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said supported accommodation was a critical part of any rehabilitation program.
“People seeking treatment and support to deal with alcohol and drug addiction need to have appropriate accommodation where they feel safe and secure,” Mr Entsch said.
“Supported accommodation also reduces the risk of relapse.
“I congratulate Lives Lived Well by going further in providing transitional accommodation – a first for Cairns.
“It is this type of program being offered by Lives Lived Well that gives people the best chance to deal with addiction.”
Lives Lived Well CEO, Mitchell Giles said the new property, funded by Lives Lived Well, featured two two-bedroom units for people in need of accommodation to assist their transition after completing rehabilitation at Shanty Creek.
“Being able to offer transitional accommodation for the first time in Cairns has boosted the level of support we provide for people affected by the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs, including methamphetamine,” Mr Giles said.
“We regularly re-assess the needs of our local communities to ensure we deliver services that will provide the most suitable support for people.”
In September last year, Lives Lived Well, in partnership with Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, introduced the Alcohol and Other Drugs Withdrawal Support program in Cairns to provide supervised day care for people coming off drugs and alcohol.
“Further expanding our support offering to include transitional accommodation at Sheridan Street reflects Lives Lived Well’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to providing a continuum of care in the region,” he said.
Lives Lived Well is a not-for-profit support organisation for people impacted by drugs, alcohol or mental health concerns. People who are thinking of addressing their use of alcohol or other drugs can contact Lives Lived Well on 1300 727 957.
ENDS
For media inquiries, contact Lives Lived Well’s Marketing Team Leader, Michelle Saftich. Email: [email protected]
