MORE FUNDING FOR DRUG TREATMENT

The Victorian Government will spend $19 million on new and expanded drug
treatment and prevention services.

The funding is part of the Government's $77 million strategy to tackle drug
abuse in Victoria.

The money will be used to subsidise the cost of Methadone for juveniles,
provide child care for addicts seeking treatment and increase the number of
GPs able to prescribe Methadone.

The Health Minister, John Thwaites, says the additional services will build
on the Government's achievements over the past year.

"We have begun to turn the system around so that we're seeing real
improvements now in drug waiting times and in drug prevention programs," he
said.

"In the last year we've been able to reduce the average waiting time for
drug treatment by about 77 per cent."

"That is a real achievement but we want to do more," the Minister said.