Health and community workers from across the South-West came together today to discuss the way forward in the fight against methamphetamine use as the treatment numbers for people in Bunbury increased by 65 per cent compared with five years ago.
Mental Health Minister Roger Cook and Bunbury MLA Don Punch co-chaired the roundtable which was attended by Premier Mark McGowan; Corrective Services Minister Fran Logan; Attorney General John Quigley; Child Protection, Women’s Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence and Community Services Minister Simone McGurk; chairperson of the Methamphetamine Action Plan Taskforce Ron Alexander; and representatives from health and community groups across the South-West.
The roundtable will help to inform the McGowan Labor Government’s specialised meth taskforce as it continues to implement its State-wide, co-ordinated and targeted Methamphetamine Action Plan.
The plan focuses on three equal pillars of prevention, protection and prosecution, and aims to better support communities and families impacted by the devastating effects and flow-on effects of meth use.
In 2012-13, there were 124 treatment episodes for amphetamine-type stimulants provided to people in Bunbury compared with 204 in 2016-17.
People in Bunbury and the South-West can access the South West Alcohol and Drug Services for free and confidential treatment and support services or phone the Alcohol and Drug Support Line for free help on 9442 5000 (metro) or 1800 198 024 (regional).