A new alcohol and other drug treatment facility was officially opened near Nannup last week providing a 20-bed residential rehabilitation service and a three bed low-medical withdrawal service.
The Nannup Therapeutic Community service, which will be operated by Cyrenian House is funded by the WA Government, and 12 of the total 23 beds at the facility are funded specifically to provide services to Aboriginal people.
Cyrenian House is a WA-based non-government organisation, and the largest alcohol and other drug treatment provider in the state.
The organisation provided more than 200 residential treatment beds and services to more than 5000 people in the year 2018/19.
The service commenced operation in July 2019, with the official opening of the service occurring on October 25 which was celebrated by more than 60 people.
East Metropolitan MLC Alanna Therese Clohesy unveiled the plaque alongside Cyrenian House president Mathew van Riessen.
Cyrenian House chief executive officer Carol Daws said they faced many struggles to establish the service over the last year.
Ms Daws said initially they proposed a facility near Pemberton which was finally abandoned following repeated rejections of the plan by the Shire of Manjimup.
"Despite the problems we had in Pemberton we were always determined to push ahead a find a way to establish this kind of essential service for the people of the southwest," she said.
"The Nannup Community has been extremely supportive and welcoming as we have established this service.
"In return we have been every pleased to employ a number of local people as part of the team running the service. We plan to become an important part of the local economy and community."
The service is open to anyone over the age of 18 years who has significant problems with alcohol, and/or other drugs - including methamphetamine.
The Nannup Therapeutic Community is the second residential treatment service opened in the last 18 months by Cyrenian House.
In July 2018 they opened the Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison Therapeutic Community for women, a 77 bed service and the first Therapeutic Community prison for women in Australia.
This service, located in Murdoch is operated in partnership with the Department of Justice.
For more information on the Nannup Therapeutic Community, and any other services offered by Cyrenian House please contact the organisation on 08 9328 9200.
