Methamphetamine and alcohol were the leading drug problems for the majority of people seeking help from Odyssey House.
One of Australia’s largest alcohol and other drug treatment services providing residential rehabilitation and 11 community services, Odyssey House is based in Campbelltown.
The just released 2018 Odyssey House NSW Annual Report shows a record 54 per cent of its residential rehabilitation clients in the 2017-18 financial year named methamphetamine-type drugs (ice or crystal meth, speed, base) as their principal drug of concern.
This was up 10.2 per cent on the previous year’s admissions (49 percent of clients) and up 80 per cent on 2012 (30 percent of clients), when methamphetamine replaced alcohol at the number one position.
Methamphetamine was also the main concern for 36 per cent of the approximately 1,600 people undertaking treatment at Odyssey House’s 11 new community services during the year.
These facilities opened across Sydney in 2017 to provide free non-residential counselling and support to local people and their families impacted by alcohol and other drug use and mental illness.
A large group of health and welfare organisations, including Odyssey House, on December 14 called on federal and state governments to boost drug treatment funding by $1 billion to address unmet demand.
They estimate up to half a million Australians are unable to access treatment for drug and alcohol problems every year due to severe under-investment in services.
Odyssey House NSW CEO Julie Babineau said the demand for Odyssey House’s services continues to grow due to the increased use of methamphetamines and prescription drugs and the ongoing impact of alcohol, cannabis and heroin on not only the individuals, but their families and communities.
“In particular, ice can rapidly have serious adverse impacts on people’s personal lives and their physical and mental health, and most find it very difficult to stop using without help,’’ Ms Babineau said.
“Some people quickly spiral downwards; others may be able to sustain a relatively normal life for a while before they or their families reach out for help.’’
Contact Odyssey House on 1800 397 739 or visit www.odysseyhouse.com.au for information and general advice on residential services, community services, aftercare, Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment and other support.
