PLANS FOR COLD TURKEY DRUG TREATMENT FARMS

The Catholic Church is set to open cold turkey drug treatment farms in
Western Australia's south-west after securing state government support for
the idea.

Archbishop Barry Hickey has been trying to get the Community Encounter
scheme off the ground for three years and it is based on a similar program
in Italy, where addicts check themselves in and remain on the farms for
between one and three years, working for their food.

Archbishop Hickey travelled to Italy last month with the state minister for
drugs strategy, Rhonda Parker, who pledged to help clear the way for the
farms by liaising with local councils, which have so far opposed the scheme.

The properties would be supplied by an anonymous Catholic businessman and
wouldn't need financial support from the state government, according to
Archbishop Hickey.

In Melbourne yesterday he said the idea worked in Italy because it removed
addicts from the drug culture.

"The concept is of a non-professional self-help place, where addicts find
companionship and support from other addicts in a drug free area," he said.

"They have work, fulfilment, counselling from the older ones and from other
helpers.

"It is a place that concentrates on rehabilitation and there are work and
skills program so they can learn different trades.

"It goes for a long time, so it isn't just about getting the body free of
drugs, it is about rebuilding the whole person inside.

"The drug problem is great and we are not trying to compete with other
programs, but a lot of city based programs are aimed at containing the
problem when it seems you have to get out of the haunts in order to get
fully rehabilitated."

Archbishop Hickey said the farms would be staffed by voluntary professional
help and lay members of the church.

He said spirituality would be an important aspect of the farms, but added
that addicts wouldn't be forced into religion as part of their rehabilitation.

"You can't base a therapy on conversion," he said.

"If spiritual conversion comes, well and good, but there will a spiritual
vision about the dignity of everything.

"You can't get off drugs without rebuilding your own sense of values, but
religion won't be forced on anyone."

Archbishop Hickey said a site just south of Perth had already been chosen
for the first farm.