Uniting Communities’ New ROADs residential rehabilitation program has secured $2 million in additional Commonwealth Government funding over the next two years.

The new funding will help cater to the increasing demand for the New ROADs program and provide invaluable support for the great work it’s doing in the Limestone coast region.

The welcome news follows the Labor Party’s pre-election pledge to establish additional detox beds in hospitals in the state’s South East.

New ROADS is a residential rehabilitation service operating in metropolitan Adelaide, Mt Gambier, Whyalla and the Riverland. The program provides a mix of drug and alcohol support, counselling, case management, group work, support for family members, clean needle program, and home detox.

Initially designed to link people with a GP to help undertake detoxification at home, New ROADs has supported over 20 people to successfully complete home detox, since its opening in Mt Gambier, pre-COVID. People requiring a higher level of care have been transported to Adelaide to undertake their detox, in the absence of hospital detox beds in Mount Gambier.

“It will be fantastic when these beds are up and running because the Mount Gambier community has really been advocating for this service,” says Robyn Sutherland, Executive Manager Community Services.

“New ROADS is a very busy program and we’re getting really great results. The additional funding allows us to add a much greater level of support.”

Over 82 per cent of people who have gone through the New ROADS program have had a major reduction or cessation of substance misuse, 76 per cent say they experience increased feelings of wellbeing and 62 per cent are now engaged in employment, studying or volunteering.

New ROADs is available for walk-ins, referrals or self-referrals.

Listen to a short ABC Radio interview to hear Robyn Sutherland talking about the funding (from 1:15:30).