Mater launches new facility for adolescent drug and alcohol withdrawal

Friday, 30 July 2010

Queensland Deputy Premier Paul Lucas officially opened the Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Service (ADAWS) at Mater on Thursday 29 July 2010.

The Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Service has been providing a program for young people, unique to Queensland, for the past ten years.

The residential program has been operated by Mater Health Services from two houses in South Brisbane since 2000. The program offers young people (aged 13 to 18) an 11 day residential program to help them stop or withdraw from their substance use.

Director of Mater Child & Youth Mental Health Service Professor Brett McDermott said the new, expanded facility would better meet the needs of ADAWS and was highly anticipated by the young people, their families, staff and clinicians.

“We aim to offer a comfortable, welcoming and home-like space for this youthful age group,” he said.

“The purpose-built facility will be in keeping with the surrounding environment and the character of the neighbourhood.”

The new facility is a three storey purpose-built development with a ground level arts and recreational ‘Artspace.’ This space will be used to conduct a daily group program, including vocational training programs, opportunities to use a state-of–the-art recording studio or participate in other creative activities.

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