If elected in 2019, NSW Labor has pledged to introduce six new centres across the state, with four planned for regional cities.

The party’s spokesperson for Wagga, Daniel Mookhey, said while the locations have not been selected yet, the $100 million plan is intended to address the significant problem ice addiction poses to rural and regional communities.

“The ice scourge has been afflicting NSW for years and we haven't had a policy from this government that has been up to the task,” he said.

Programs manager at the Calvary Hospital Drug and Alcohol Centre Brendan McCorry said he would welcome the additional centre in Wagga.

“One fix will not help everyone. People need to find the best care for their needs so the more treatment options available to the people that need them, the more chance of helping them,” he said. 

For the past two years, Debbie Cox has been fighting to convert the former Millies Guesthouse on Gurwood Street into a recovery house for former addicts. 

“Our plan was to provide a place that would be the final step for recovery,” she said.

“They would detox and go through their lengthy rehabilitation at places like Calvary, and then our place was to be about learning to become a part of society again.”

Mrs Cox knows what it is like to support a family member through recovery. She said it is often underestimated how important it is to stay close to loved ones.

She hopes an additional rehabilitation centre in the heart of Wagga will help sufferers remain connected to their families.

“Having a facility close to home really helps the recovering person, just to know their family support network are not far away,” she said.

“Recovery is isolating, but to be separated from your family can actually be a bigger barrier to getting help.”

Both Mrs Cox and Mr McCorry envision some community push back against the opposition party’s plans.

But they agree bringing additional rehabilitation services to Wagga may change public perceptions of drug addiction.

“I understand people’s reservations, but it’s about breaking the stigma of addiction and creating a more nurturing community around those who are genuinely looking for help,” Mrs Cox said.

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