1476. Hon Alison Xamon to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the provision of non-residential drug and alcohol services for young people under the age of 18 years, and I ask:
(a) how many places are available in Western Australia; and
(b) how many of these places are available to young people in the youth justice system, specifically:
(i) young people on bail;
(ii) young people on supervised release orders; and
(iii) young people otherwise accessing community justice services?
Hon Alanna Clohesy replied:
I am advised that:
(a) In Western Australia, there is one youth specific non-residential drug and alcohol service delivered to young people aged 12 to 22 years. This service is an integrated partnership between Mission Australia and Next Step, delivered at the Drug and Alcohol Youth Service in East Perth. The service delivers a specialist program including outpatient assessment and counselling. As part of this service, Mission Australian delivers the Young Persons Opportunity Program, which is a voluntary Diversion treatment program for young people aged 14 to 18 years with low level offending who are in contact with the juvenile justice team and who have emerging or significant Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) related problems.
There are also 11 Community Alcohol and Drug Services state-wide, which provide outpatient assessment and counselling sessions to people aged 14 years and above.
In addition to non-residential community treatment services, the Mental Health Commission also purchases a variety of AOD prevention initiatives targeting young people under the age of 18 years. These include:
(i) School Drug Education and Road Aware, an evidence based whole-school AOD education program; and
(ii) AOD education, counselling and support for 15 to 21 year olds in four metropolitan Youth Accommodation and Support Services under the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement.
(b) Young people engaged in the youth justice system are a priority target group for the above services and they are available to young people under 18 years who are: on bail; parole; or supervised release orders. All of these services are available to young people under 18 years who are also accessing community justice or correctional services.