LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Sir – The Northern Territory Government has welcomed Federal Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin’s support for welfare quarantining measures to apply to problem drinkers placed into Alcohol Mandatory Treatment.
The Commonwealth’s in-principle support for welfare quarantining is a welcome boost to the program and shows the Territory and Federal governments are on the same page when treating problem drunks.
Up to 800 problem drinkers every year will be required to undertake alcohol rehabilitation across the Northern Territory. Problem drinkers placed in Protective Custody three times in two months face up to 12 weeks in treatment.
Without welfare quarantining, problem drinkers would have quite literally had a slush fund of welfare money to spend on grog at the conclusion of the 12 week program.
The Territory Government is investing $45 million into Alcohol Mandatory Treatment this year and more than $100 million over the next three years.
Robyn Lambley (pictured)
NT Health Minister