More than 2,000 people in the Nepean Blue Mountains region sought help for alcohol and drug issues last year, according to Wentworth Healthcare. As substance abuse continues to impact the area, a new community-based service has opened in the Hawkesbury to provide much-needed support.

WHOS Hawkesbury, located in Windsor, offers free day treatment for those living with alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems. Funded by the Federal Government’s Community Health and Hospitals Program, the centre is the latest effort to address rising concerns over the lack of accessible services for residents seeking help with addiction.

Alcohol remains the leading issue, accounting for over a quarter of those treated in the region, according to Wentworth Healthcare’s 2023 Needs Assessment. WHOS Hawkesbury’s opening is expected to provide a lifeline for locals struggling to find affordable care close to home. 

“Anyone can have issues with substance dependence, it doesn’t discriminate,” Wentworth Healthcare CEO Lizz Reay said. “In the Hawkesbury, there has been a lack of permanent and accessible services offering affordable community-based support.” She said many people can’t commit to residential rehabilitation due to family or work responsibilities, which means they’ve been left without options.”

The new service aims to change that by offering a range of treatment options, including counselling, group therapy, case management, and relapse prevention, all within the local community. Clients can remain close to their families, friends, and healthcare providers throughout their recovery, a model that has been widely advocated for by local health stakeholders.

WHOS Hawkesbury also provides outreach services, working closely with Aboriginal community organisations to ensure culturally appropriate care is available. The service is designed to be flexible, providing tailored support for each individual’s needs.

Local Federal MP Susan Templeman praised the opening of the service, which she said had been long overdue. “I’m proud that the Federal Government is supporting this service, which has been long-needed in Hawkesbury. I congratulate Wentworth Healthcare for finding a model designed to suit local needs and give people the ability to continue living in their community as they tackle their addiction,” she said.

For many in the region, the opening of WHOS Hawkesbury will provide a vital step toward reducing the strain on hospitals and ensuring that people have access to the help they need without having to travel or uproot their lives. “Residential rehab is important, but it’s not always suitable for everyone,” Reay added. “Community-based support allows people to get well where they live, surrounded by their support networks.”

WHOS Executive Director Garth Popple hopes the new service will have a lasting impact. “ We are looking forward to further develop relationships with a variety of service partners, such as Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and the local Aboriginal community, as we collectively work towards the common goal of reducing substance use related harm in the Hawkesbury”,he said.

The centre is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 2 Forbes Street, Windsor. People can self-refer, walk in, or be referred by a GP or specialist. For more information or to book an appointment, visit www.nbmphn.com.au/WHOSHawkesbury or call 4509 9110.