Tamworth's Youth Centre could be used as a base for social support services that should relocate to West Tamworth, according to the city's crime prevention working group.
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The group has recommended Tamworth Regional Council write to the premier asking for government and non-government agencies to shift into the underserviced "area of need" in West Tamworth.
"Historically, the West Tamworth area has a higher concentration of disadvantaged residents which requires a particular focus on social services," the report said.
"There is currently office space available at the Youth Centre to support this proposal."
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Meanwhile the group plans to escalate efforts to lobby for support for funding for a decentralised Matrix model for dealing with drug addicts in Tamworth.
The intensive 16-week program, which helps people in their homes and does not require expensive premises, has been a proven success in South Australia, according to working group chair Russell Webb.
"If people are genuinely interested in dealing with drug and alcohol, the Matrix has proven to be one of the most successful programs in Australia," he said.
"The crime prevention working group had a look at how this program would work. We decided we should pursue that to see if we could get that model run in Tamworth with some gov funding. To do that we need the support of our Local state member and local federal."
The group will ask Tamworth council to forward a letter of support to both politicians seeking their support, Cr Webb said.
Cr Webb said the Matrix program could be a "short-term solution" to compliment a mooted longer-term campaign to develop a new drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Tamworth.
The working group hoped to get the program up and running within 12 months, he said.
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