CHILDREN as young as 10 are addicted to methamphetamine (ice) in the Riverina, says Riverina Drug and Alcohol Centre manager Brendan McCorry.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is for this reason that Calvary Auxiliary's $25,000 donation to the centre was so important, he said.
A small group of eight auxiliary members have fund-raised for years, continuously donating to the publically funded private centre.
This year the new centre was opened, providing 10 more beds to clients in need of rehabilitation.
Calvary chief Jo Williams said the money allowed the centre to be furnished with new, appropriate equipment.
"It helps us give better quality services and has expanded the bed numbers," Ms Williams said.
"It has also allowed us to expand the detoxification program, from (primarily) cannabis and alcohol to other drugs, including ice.
Ms Williams said while alcohol had always been a problem, ice was now the primary drug people were admitted for.
"People from all over Australia can come here," she said.
Ms Williams said Calvary worked closely with the local health district to ensure the program was accessible to everyone.
A committee member for more than a decade, Di Francis said the group had worked tirelessly, running pie drives, raffles and fund-raising events.
"Its (drug and alcohol services) are need more and more as there are more people faced with issues," Mrs Francis said.
"I'd like to thank everyone for their very dedicated support."
Mr McCorry works with people whose lives have been dictated by addiction daily.
"We average 18 people a day," he said.
He said addictions affected people mentally and physically.
"Our average client is around 30 and they have been addicted for 10 years," he said.
"This (the program) gives them time out and the opportunity ... to build up relationship with family and the community," he said.