Greens spokesperson for Mental Health Hon Alison Xamon MLC has called for the further expansion of the Mental Health Police Co-Response Teams program – saying more needs to be done to support people living in the regions.
Ms Xamon said she was pleased the trial would expand into Perth’s southern and eastern areas, following successful initial trials in the north-west and south-east metropolitan areas in 2018.
But, she said, the expansion falls short of what is desperately needed.
“There is no doubt that the regions need access to the co-response teams just as much as people in the metropolitan area do,” Ms Xamon said.
“There simply aren’t enough mental health and alcohol and other drug services in the regions to meet the need.
“The latest wastewater monitoring report, released yesterday, showed meth usage and the consumption of other illicit drugs increased in both metropolitan and regional areas of WA.
“WA has the highest rate of meth consumption of anywhere in the country.
“This places a greater burden on police and the health system in both metropolitan and regional areas.”
Ms Xamon said while there were clearly logistical challenges, regional centres such as Bunbury and Geraldton would be ideal locations for staged roll-outs of the program.
She said the two cities each had sizeable populations and each operated as hubs for service provision.
“The 10-Year Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan specifically indicates the need for a police co-response program in the South West,” Ms Xamon said.
“Having co-response teams in the regions will result in significant savings for the health budget and increase wellbeing for the people there.
“I urge the Government to consider as a matter or priority rolling out the co-response teams to the regions.”
