Successful drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic, The Glen, on the New South Wales Central Coast will receive $9 million from the Liberal National Government to build a women's facility.
The grant is part of the Morrison Government's Federal Budget and funding for it comes out of the $50 million National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030.
The Glen has been operating since 1994 when it was set up by Ngaimpe Aboriginal Corporation and has been delivering a successful and well-known drug and alcohol rehabilitation program exclusively to men.
Chairpersons of the facility said they were grateful for a new service, which will bring renewed hope and support to women in the community.
“The Glen is very grateful for the funding, and we now need to turn our attention to helping these women turn their lives around," Chairperson Coral Hennessy said.
In a media release following the announcement, the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) also said it welcomes the funding.
Chairperson Cr Roy Ah-See said he was looking forward to seeing the successful clinic expand.
"The Glen has a demonstrated track record of success by tackling the causes of addiction and empowering men to take control of their lives," Cr Ah-See said.
"It's fantastic that this work will now be extended to helping Aboriginal women from the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and Greater Sydney."
According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics Research, the numbers of Aboriginal women in prison increased by 75 percent between 2011 and 2017.
Cr Ah-See said there is a correlation to incarceration rates and drug and alcohol use, as well as poor health outcomes.
Now The Glen will be able to help more Aboriginal women reclaim their lives and more Aboriginal families stay together.
"This is not about ‘The Glen’, it is about the women who need this help today. It’s about the women who are sitting in prison, struggling at home or even on the streets dying," Ms Hennessy said.
The money is only worth celebrating if we do good things with it. We need to start achieving outcomes for the community, and that work happens now."
