House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-04-11 Daily Xml

Contents

Drug and Alcohol Services

Mr DULUK (Davenport) (14:38): Again, a further question to the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse: does Drug and Alcohol Services SA (DASSA) have a policy or rule that if you have not taken drugs in the last five days you are not eligible to access treatment services?

Mr Bell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Mount Gambier is warned.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:39): Drug and Alcohol Services SA provides triage and support for people facing addiction and substance abuse issues across the state, from regional and remote locations through to the city. We also have phone triage.

There are good protocols to ensure that people access the system and the services they need when appropriate. I would have to seek advice about the particular time lines, depending on the particular addictions and the particular condition that that consumer may be seeking at that time. I am not a clinician. I am led by their decision-making and I respect that.