Indigenous youths with drug and mental health issues will get earlier access to treatment and education options after Centacare Tamworth and Narrabri received almost half-a-million dollars in extra funding from the state government.
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson handed a cheque for $440,469 to Centacare New England North West CEO Fergus Fitzsimons on Friday.
We will work with the young people to really help them become part of their community and to get away from drugs and alcohol, and not let them become parts of their daily life.”
- Fergus Fitzsimons
“It’s great news that once again the NSW government has given funding so we can actually provide services locally to our youth and add to the other programs and services we provide locally – it is great news for the community,” Mr Fitzsimons said.
“The money will be used on drug and alcohol counselling – we will work with the young people over a short period of time to really help them become part of their community and to get away from drugs and alcohol and not let them become parts of their daily life.”
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While this funding will be predominantly spent on indigenous youths, it will not be exclusive, with Centacare offering a range of programs and service.
Centacare is one of ten Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) across the state to receive this funding for “withdrawal and counselling services, predominantly in regional and rural areas”.
“Quite often these young people suffering from drug and mental health issues, which are often linked, have nowhere to turn,” Mr Anderson said.
“To provide this money to Centacare so that they can provide a place for those people to turn is really important.”
