A MENTAL health and drug assessment and intake centre has expanded its operations in Ballarat.
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ACSO has been operating in Ballarat for 16 years, working with people on parole or community correction orders to get treatment, but their service now takes in voluntary cases as well.
Western region assistant manager Jane House said the group had been fairly quiet in the community until now, doing a lot of work in prisons and working with mandated cases.
But Ms House said the new system gave a clear path for those entering it and gave it more consistency.
She said ACSO was now able to provide more support for people after their first contact, bridging the time before they may get in to see a counsellor or be treated.
“They don’t have to be reassessed at every point,” Ms House said.
“They will have one assessment which will go into a portal which can be accessed by people treating the individual.”
The new hub was opened on Thursday as part of mental health week, at 305A Dana Street.
The team moved from Dawson Street, and has grown in staff from four to nine.
“It’s quite pivotal, as it gives agencies the opportunity to specialise in their field for treatment and support.”
Chief executive officer Karenza Louis-Smith said ACSO’s intake and assessment service provided a single entry point for both drug treatment and mental health services for regional Victorians, meaning better outcomes for all.
“The past system for mental health and drug treatment was challenging and complex to navigate for consumers and service providers alike,” she said.
“With multiple entry points into numerous programs, each with a different criteria for admission, there was a need to bring the pieces together.”
If you would like help overcoming drug and alcohol problems or mental health issues, you can call ASCO on 1300 022 760 (1300 0-ACSO-0).
Alcohol still the biggest problem
ALCOHOL abuse is still the biggest problem in the Ballarat community, despite the scourge of the deadly methamphetamine ice.
The number of residents seeking treatment for alcohol far outweighs those seeking treatment for ice and other drugs.
The revelation came on Thursday from ACSO chief executive officer Karenza Louis-Smith, in Ballarat to officially open the group’s Dana Street office.
ACSO is the organisation now responsible for handling all mental health, drug and alcohol assessments, replacing the older method which involved those seeking treatment going directly to local agencies.
Since September 1, anyone seeking help must call a 1300 number as the first step in seeking treatment including withdrawal, detox and rehabilitation.
“Obviously ice is one of the biggest challenges we face,” Ms Louis-Smith said.
“But alcohol is still the number one drug of concern and the vast majority of calls are coming from those experiencing problems with alcohol.”
UnitingCare Ballarat Alcohol and Drug Program manager Peter Cranage also said alcohol remained the biggest issue, as well as cannabis.
Speaking of the new referral system, Ms Louis-Smith said anyone seeking treatment was guaranteed help when they called ACSO.
“It doesn’t matter if all the staff in Ballarat are on the phone, someone, somewhere, will answer your call,” she said.
Ballarat’s team of about 15 people then work to assess people’s needs, be they for mental health or drugs and alcohol.
Assessments can be done over the phone, but are generally done in person, Ms Louis-Smith said.
Clients are then directed to the right treatment and connected with relevant local agencies, including Ballarat Community Health and UnitingCare.
If you think you may need help, call ACSO on 1300 022 760.