Salvation Army Sobering-Up Unit

The Hon. S.L. GAME (17:55): I move:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges the important work of the Salvation Army Sobering-up Unit, providing shelter, support referrals and advocacy for persons requiring a safe place to sober up or recover from the immediate effects of alcohol and drug use;

2. Recognises that the consumption of alcohol is widespread within Australia; and

3. Acknowledges that harmful levels of consumption are a major health issue, associated with increased risk of chronic disease, injury, and premature death.

Last year I visited the Salvation Army Sobering-up Unit, which is located at Whitmore Square in the city and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The sobering-up unit has a policy to never turn anyone away. The staff informed me that the vast majority of people arriving at the unit are well behaved and polite, appreciating somewhere safe to be. Certainly, that is what I saw on my visit.

I had a tour of the facility and was extremely impressed by the highly empathetic and able staff. The sobering-up unit is more than its name implies. The nature of it being a 24/7 facility with highly caring staff means the homeless can rely on the centre to report any concerns in the night regarding the safety and wellbeing of others. The importance of this unassuming facility to the lives of those most vulnerable in our society cannot be overestimated.

The impact of the staff—all of whom told me they loved their job, which surely would be deemed by most as challenging—cannot be overemphasised. You do not take on this type of work if your desire is to be celebrated and acknowledged; you do it out of a desire to have a meaningful life and assist others who need it. That is what these staff do quietly behind the scenes as the rest of us get on with our daily lives. That said, these are the people who we as a society need to acknowledge and be grateful for.

The sobering-up unit provides shelter, support referrals and advocates for people in need of a safe place to sober up or recover from the immediate effects of alcohol and drug use. The unit also caters for people apprehended under the Public Intoxication Act in South Australia. The sobering-up unit assesses a person's level of intoxication, monitors them throughout the sobering-up process, arranges medical intervention if required, and provides basic needs such as bedding, clothing, bathing, laundry facilities and an appropriate meal.

The unit responds to phone calls from members of the public, clients and their families. It advocates, assists and refers clients seeking accommodation, medical welfare, counselling and rehabilitation services. Encouraging clients to consider the harm and risk associated with their alcohol and/or drug use, the unit also provides information about medical detoxification services and rehabilitation programs.

The consumption of alcohol is widespread within Australia and is an accepted part of many social and cultural activities. However, harmful levels of consumption are a major health issue, associated with increased risk of chronic disease, injury and premature death. There is much still to be done in reducing the stigma of alcoholism and, as it relates to mental health, the consensus is that both must be treated together. It is for this reason I have, in the past, advocated for behavioural assessment units to be incorporated into our emergency departments.

Too often, people experiencing a mental health crisis who are also suffering from addiction are turned away or feel degraded in the way they have been treated when seeking assistance. The behavioural assessment units have been incorporated into some Victorian hospitals, allowing better support of Victorians experiencing urgent mental health, alcohol and drug use issues.

South Australians deserve the same, and I urge the government to progress any investigations into the establishment of such units here. I commend the Salvation Army for playing its part in looking after our most vulnerable. The sobering-up unit is a wonderful initiative and is helping to improve and save lives, treating all that seek their assistance with dignity and care.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.

Sitting suspended from 18:00 to 19:45.