The state government pledged $6 million to establish a treatment centre in the Grampians in April. It was part of a bigger statewide plan to tackle the rising scourge of crystal meth.

However, months later, the state government has so far given no word on the centre’s location only revealing it will be close to Ballarat and will include up to 20 residential rehabilitation beds for drug users.   

Hayley McNaughton, a spokeswoman for Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley told The Courier options for a suitable site were still being examined.

She said it was hoped the new centre will have capacity to treat about 57 clients per year and will offer treatment for range of substance addictions not solely crystal meth.

“Many people requiring alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation are poly-drug users, they use a number of substances,” Ms McNaughton said.

“This is particularly true of people using ice, who often use in conjunction with alcohol and other substances.”  

Ms McNaughton said all bed-based services in Victoria are offered on a state-wide basis.

She said beds will be allocated to patients according to clinical need.

Meanwhile, the Grampians health region will receive a slice of $4 million allocated by the federal government to provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.

The funding will be taken from the $300 million pot of money to tackle ice across Australia announced last year.

It will be used to reduce demand for ice and addict-based crime by supporting rehabilitation services to help get addicts off ice and out of the drug market.