Drug and Alcohol Services

625 Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (24 August 2021). What is the average waiting time between an initial call to DASSA seeking drug and alcohol counselling, and provision of initial counselling?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education): The Minister for Health and Wellbeing has been advised:

The average waiting time at Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia in the April to June 2021 quarter, from when a new client makes an outpatient appointment for alcohol or other drug counselling to when that appointment occurs was seven days in the metropolitan region, and an average of ten days in regional South Australia.

All people requesting a counselling appointment are prioritised according to their need and presenting risk factors, the highest priority patients for medication assisted treatment can generally be seen the same day.