No rehab on offer for addicted Central Queensland minors

AS THE drug ice continues to plague Central Queensland, the region is still waiting for a rehabilitation centre to treat addicted minors.

The Federal Government has allocated nearly $300m over four years to improve treatment services, including additional rehabilitation services, but the State Government yesterday said it had little control over that process.

A spokesman for Health Minister, Cameron Dick said the Queensland Government would work closely with the Central Queensland Primary Health Network in the commissioning of the additional services, as the federal funding would be delivered through PHNs rather than being controlled by state Governments.

The response followed the experience of Rockhampton farmer Kelli Pfeiffer who struggled to find appropriate services in Queensland for her ice addicted teenager.

Kelli and her son eventually found help in a New South Wales clinic after failing to find any local help for nearly three years.

The mother said her son's recovery would not have been possible without the necessary rehab services.

Mr Dick's spokesman focused on the State Government funding allocated for services in towns across the state and said the government recognised ice as a major problem throughout Queensland.

"The Palaszczuk Government has taken action allocating $6 million per year in additional treatment and early intervention services, including services specifically for Rockhampton," they said.

Drugs in CQ

The number of drug offences committed in Rockhampton has fluctuated between 2010 and 2015.

So far this year, there have been 39 drug offences.

2010: 274

2011: 362

2012: 705

2013: 535

2014: 486

2015: 700