Region first rehab facility opens Police kept busy
THE region’s first fully inclusive residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility was opened last Wednesday outside of Mareeba, allowing people to access treatment closer to home. Mission Australia hosted the opening ceremony of the new facility and named it Djindigal, which means healing place in the language of the Djabugay people, the traditional landowners. It is a purpose built, 10-room facility which provides treatment over a 12-week holistic program and will be able to help roughly 40 people over the course of a year. Residents who live in Cairns, Atherton Tablelands and Far North Queensland are prioritised for admission to the facility, while it is self-admission people can also be referred by their doctors. Construction started in January last year and was completed in December and the first resident joined in January of this year. Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister said she was delighted to finally open this vital service and thanked those who advocated for the project. “It’s called Djindigal, which in the language of the traditional landowners the Djabugay people, means healing place,” she said. “Djindigal has been designed to provide a home-like environment for people recovering from substance use concerns. “This new facility is situated on 22 acres which provides the peace and privacy for people to access the support they need, when they need it.” This facility is the first of its kind in the region as all the other existing rehabilitation facility are geared specifically towards Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal peoples. “It important for locals in Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands and surrounds to have alcohol and other drug services
Dr Phil Flint and Yolonde Entsch at the entry to Mission Australia's new rehabilitation centre "Djindigal", the local First Nation's word for a place of grounding, reconnecting and healing.
nearby because access is a vital element for people to get the support they need,” Ms Callister said. “We are grateful for the community and government support and to those who have championed this facility. “We know Djindigal will provide incredible support, not just for the residents but also for their families.” The program includes a further six months of practical and therapeutic aftercare support for individuals when they return to the community. The service aims to provide a way for people 18 and over to take control of their substance use and reduce the negative impacts on their life. It will empower and equip them to achieve their individual goals relating to their substance use, and to be able
to continue their recovery journey after they leave the residential rehabilitation setting. “Unfortunately, there is a critical shortage of residential rehabilitation facilities in regional Australia, which is why we are opening Djindigal,” Ms Callister said. “The recovery program is broad and encompasses many aspects of life to give the resident the best chance with their fresh start. “Everyone deserves the chance of a new beginning and no one should have to battle their addiction alone. “There is a growing demand for such services, and we hope these service models can be expanded to other locations, including in rural, remote, and regional areas.”
A POLICE officer was struck in the head by a Bluetooth speaker during an incident involving two women in Mareeba earlier this month. Around 7.30pm on 11 March, officers observed what appeared to be a disturbance in the refuge island area of Byrnes Street. Officers observed a 19-year-old Mareeba woman running across the road chasing another woman. Officers spoke with the woman and advised her she was under arrest for public nuisance. During the arrest she became agitated and non-compliant, and the group with her began abusing and threatening officers. While placing the 19-year-old woman into the police vehicle, a 16-year-old Mareeba girl allegedly threw a Bluetooth speaker, striking one officer in the back of the head. The 19-year-old woman was charged with committing public nuisance, assaulting police and wilful damage. She is scheduled to appear at the Mareeba Magistrates Court on 27 March. The 16-yearold girl was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and is scheduled to appear at the Mareeba Children’s Court at a later date.
In another incident on the same day, a 38-year-old Papua New Guinea man was charged with one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm domestic violence offence, choking suffocation strangulation domestic relationship, and unlawful stalking. The incident occurred when a man and a woman were drinking with family members at address in Alice Street, Atherton when the 38-year-old allegedly became jealous of her talking to family members. Police were called to the property around 10.30pm. It will be alleged the man approached the woman who was visiting the address and started to swear at her. It will be further alleged he attended her home address uninvited on several occasions and she received a large volume of unwanted phone calls. Meanwhile, police officers intercepted a 50-year-old Highgate Hill woman on Byrnes Street, Mareeba around 8.30pm on 11 March for failing to stop at a stop sign. As a result of a breath test, she was transported to Mareeba Police Station for further testing. It will be alleged she returned a reading of 0.157 per cent BAC.
Witnesses to assault sought POLICE want to talk to anyone who witnessed the assault of a woman in Cook Street, Atherton earlier this month. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which occurred in front of a car dealership around 7pm on Tuesday, 7 March. The initial investigation suggests two women assaulted a third woman outside that location. The victim fell to the ground and was allegedly continually kicked by the other two women. Police are seeking any motorist that may have dashcam footage that was travelling through that area to contact police and quote QP2300399183.
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The Express, Wednesday, March 22, 2023 PAGE 7