Courier Mail - 14.12.08 - Mt Tamborine locals reject Salvation Army drug rehab centre

[Mr Blonde]

Link.

By Greg Stolz

December 14, 2008 11:00pm

THE Salvation Army does not make enemies easily, but it is under fire over plans for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre at Mt Tamborine.
The Salvos want to relocate their Fairhaven detox and rehabilitation facility from the coastal strip to Mt Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Residents on the mountain, famed for its tourist trail featuring wineries, art galleries and cafes, are furious.

About 250 angry locals packed a public meeting last week to fight the proposed 65-bed facility at Eagle Heights, on land bought recently for more than $5 million by Queensland Health.

"It's totally inappropriate - people up here are absolutely gobsmacked that they could even consider Mt Tamborine for this," one woman said.

But the Salvation Army defended the proposal, saying the tranquil setting is needed to give recovering drug addicts and alcoholics the right "head space".

Sixth-generation Mt Tamborine resident Paul Bartle, who lives next to the proposed rehabilitation centre with his young family, said locals feared being robbed and assaulted by addicts and alcoholics.

"We've been given no assurances that we'll be safe," he said. "It will change our lifestyle completely - my kids won't be able to play outside for a start. We've been told this will only have a minimal impact. What, does that mean minimal assaults and minimal break and enters?"

Mr Bartle said the proposed rehabilitation centre did not fit with the area's zoning and there was inadequate infrastructure, police and medical services.

But Fairhaven manager Major Russell Grice said the centre had nowhere else to go after it was forced out of its Parklands facility near Southport to make way for the new Gold Coast Hospital.

Maj Grice said he could understand some Mt Tamborine residents were "passionate" but they had nothing to fear.

Recovering addicts and alcoholics would be supervised "24/7", he said.

"We're managing people who are in recovery and have already committed to abstinence," he said.

Residents are lobbying Queensland Health to refuse the centre.

As far as I'm aware there isn't much of a drug scene on Mt Tamborine, hence little point in robbing people to pay for habits.

 

[belarki]

The ignorance of some people is astonishing. Wouldn't suprise me if they turned up outside the clinic with flaming torches and pitchforks.... wankers. Makes me ashamed to live in this state.

 

[danzaman]

Peoples misconceptions and generalisations about drug addicted people is both saddening and frustrating. Seriously, how are children going to be unsafe?

Hopefully Ben Cousins return to the AFL encourages mature attitudes across the entire community, rather than just those working with drug users.

 

[static_mind]

Well to be honest I can see where there comeing from. There drug ignorant, they are your average joe who knows what they do about drugs from things they see on today tonight. The sterotypical junky is not the kind of person you want around your neighbourhood espec when you ahve children around

 

[belarki]

Well to be honest I can see where there comeing from. There drug ignorant, they are your average joe who knows what they do about drugs from things they see on today tonight. The sterotypical junky is not the kind of person you want around your neighbourhood espec when you ahve children around

Ignorance is no excuse for stupidity. Sure parents may not want junkies hanging around their back yards but this is a medical facility where sober in-patients will be closely monitored by nurses etc. Even if a patient were to suddenly decide the whole sobriety thing wasn't for them the first thing they'd do when they got out would be to source some more gear.... not go harassing the locals.

Would you say protest against a physiotherapist opening a practice because they catered to sports players, some of whom have proven in recent times to be arguably worse rolemodels for kiddies than your stereotypical junkie?.... this kind of media attention if anything stigmatises the rehab system and could be a deterrant for people seeking help.

This isn't aimed at you static_mind, I know you're not justifying the protests, just explaining the reason behind them. The issue just annoys me

 

[madmick19]

wow its such a pity that the australian community still beieves it is better to "put them in jail/ desert island".

it shows that as individuals and communities we exclude people or punish them, even when people are trying to make positive changes to their lives....

 

[lil angel15]

I think it's just the usual case of sheep syndrome striking deep into the ill informed and uneducated.........

The masses are easily influenced and I'm sure it's much to the relief of our governments - it does make their job a great deal easier after all.

 

[cudds]

^ never a truer word spoken lil. unfortunately.

 

[WILDSTRAWBERRIES]

wow its such a pity that the australian community still beieves it is better to "put them in jail/ desert island".

it shows that as individuals and communities we exclude people or punish them, even when people are trying to make positive changes to their lives....

I agree, I have complete respect for people willing and able to say no and quit their drug habits. They should read stories like this guys to see the type of people they're depraving of a chance to get clean.

http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/showthread.php?t=405681

If you read the article in the paper, there's a photowith concerned looking adults in the back, a group of children around five to ten years old wearing T-shirts sporting (don't quote me on this, I did read it a week ago) "No rehab center for Mt Tamborine." at the forefront. Like everyone else here I can safely say their ignorance angers me.

No "Aussie" I know would ever turn their back on a fellow Australian in need of help.

 

[hoptis]

Minister defends detox centre safety
Posted Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:42pm AEDT

The Queensland Health Minister says it is unfair to suggest people who are receiving treatment for drug, alcohol or gambling addiction are a threat to the community.

Residents at Eagle Heights in the Gold Coast hinterland are opposed to plans for a Salvation Army-run detoxification centre.

Stephen Robertson says an existing facility in Brisbane has operated without incident for more than 20 years.

"We need to appreciate that the people who will be treated at Fairhaven are people with alcohol and drug problems who have identified themselves that they need help and they want help and they want to get back on the path of living a good drug-free life," he said.

ABC

 

[deespath]

Horrified at Locals of Mt. Tamborine

I have been onlline searching for a place for my mother to be able to go and recover form her alcohol addiction that is safe, loving, supportive and feels like a theraputic resort and not brick and concrete like a prison ! I have specifically registered on this site just to respond to the locals narrow minded selfish and unbelievable points of view on rehabilitation. They truly need to read up and understand the complete procedure behind the people even getting this far in their lives. It has to be voluntary ~ they have already detoxed and have no access to drugs nor alcohol whatsoever ! They are in need of love, support, NON-JUDGEMENT and complete pride from their friends, family and COMMUNITY for even commiting to changing their lives ! How dare you people turn around and say that your children may not be safe with someone such as my mother who is a loving grandmother to 8 grandchildren !

My mother is currently in detox right now and I am desperately trying to seek a rehabilitiation center for her to continue her recovery and there IS NOT ENOUGH to cater for the needs of these people who truly want to break their addictions ! I am petrified that I may not find one in 5 days at this critical time n her life when she is actually willing and desperate to turn her life around ~ she may even be sent back home until a place comes up in a rehabilitiation which is not acceptale for somoeone sho has been an alcoholic for over 30 years ???? PLEASE understand that there is a NEED for amazing, loving places in beautiful supportive environments for ALL these people to recover and feel SUPPORTED during their process ! I truy HOPE noone at Mt Tamborine has a loved one that may have to one day move through this process and that they find themselves having to face such pre-historic judgement of people !!!!!!!!

I wil be fighting for this for all the people that deserve love and support AND a huge HUG for deciding to change their loives and the lives of all their loved ones around them ~ CONGRATULATIONS to al people o REHAB !!!!

Yours,
Donna Grey.

 

[madmick19]

I agree, I have complete respect for people willing and able to say no and quit their drug habits. They should read stories like this guys to see the type of people they're depraving of a chance to get clean.
No "Aussie" I know would ever turn their back on a fellow Australian in need of help.

i guess its worth noting in this thread that "an understanding approach to drugs" is not the dominant beleif across australian culture. we can see ths played out especially in the political areana where fear is utilised regulary to mobilie the community in a specific direction or to guide their opinion.

drug users are still a minority in australia; with most people not using drugs in an ongoing manner. that is not underplaying the amount of people who have tried substances.

i know that within my friendship groups that people are still in disbelief that i work in mental health, drug abuse area; with alot of the opinion that "its too hard or a losing battle"

these people are also regular party drug users, who by virtue of their 'moral superiority' choose to view problamatic drug users all in the same light eg junkies/alcoholics. Yeta big part of the argument in their own head is when does drug use become a problem- for the people of this town it might just be the point where it becomes visibleproblem in their town rather than a hidden or private problem to be delt with on an individual basis.

the argument between autonomy and collective community responsibility arises everytime in AOD treatment settings. I guess its worthwhile also asking the question; why are we treating people? treating them for what- and what is recovery to? and how does a person know they have recovered? how does a community know when a person is recovered. and from that point what next?

Deespath send us a msg and i'll find some places worth enquiring about, rehabs usually have fairly long waiting lists by the way so your mum might be waiting some time before she gets into a residential facility

 

[expothead]

Tough call, but i'm with static_mind - I can understand community concern over this. It's a sad fact that when you have kids, you naturally become more paranoid and (over-) protective.

I qualify the residents paranoia by agreeing that I wouldn't want my kids walking past a drug and alcohol rehab on their way home from school.

And sadly, health officials in this day and age, don't inspire me with a lot of confidence...

 

[madmick19]

Tough call, but i'm with static_mind - I can understand community concern over this. It's a sad fact that when you have kids, you naturally become more paranoid and (over-) protective.

I qualify the residents paranoia by agreeing that I wouldn't want my kids walking past a drug and alcohol rehab on their way home from school.

And sadly, health officials in this day and age, don't inspire me with a lot of confidence...

what is the community concern though- that their kids will be introduced to drugs? which happens anyway in school. Or that "these people are a bad " that might corrupt the innocence of children? Its like looking at the following pictures side by side and seeing a few different things;

what do you see here:
*a dirty junkie injecting?
*a homeless person?
*a hopeless person who should know better?
*someone locked into a series of behaviours that are destructive or even *possibily someone who needs help but does not know a way out?
*or someone who just doesnt care about life after being sexually abused by their parents and parents friends from 2years old, beaten if they cried and removed from their parents and taken into state care where they also endured 20 years of systematic abuse.

but then again we all started out like this:

Separation / stigma reinforces the beliefs that any sort of treatment should be carried out behind closed doors away from public scrutiny or participation. Which i would see as required as the aim of treatment is re intergration into the community; what message is being sent if we say not in my back yard- it looks alot like no matter how hard you try its not good enough for the rest of us!!

i would also like to qualify this by saying that from a social work background i understand that alot of the problematic behaviours that accompany drug use is negative on the children of drug using parents, can affect their development and potential and have serious ongoing affects on the lives of all involved. Treatment is difficult and for a large amount of time not include children, but at the same time poeple recovering fom a long life of abusing drugs also need to feel welcomed and part of the larger community.

i guess as a community i view that we (collectively) should take more note of the most disadvantaged in society; learn about their lives and issues and (collectively) look towards ways of contributing to the betterment/enrichment of others lives. This collective responsibilty may lead to less harm for children, and more positive outcomes overall for individual groups and communities.

yet the dominant approach seems to be one of- its someone elses business namely the government to provide services or funds to make change happen. this also validates the profession and beauracy invloved. this legitimates to role of academics, medicine, psychiatry, governemtns, police, customs, non governmtn drug treatment agencies and even my job as a AOD worker.
And in the end the policy uncannily looks like:

 

[hyroller]

nice to see the hick mentality has more or less infiltrated every square inch of our turf

choice!!

 

[footscrazy]

What the fuck? This is completely ridiculous. It's not like the people from the rehab will be just roaming the streets. You're not usually even allowed out of the house, as I learnt dramatically one time when I stepped out the front door to have a smoke with a friend one time. Got swooped on by the staff and screamed at, was pretty taken aback as it was an honest mistake on my part! The other place I went to locked all the doors.

It's really sad to see how ignorant the typical aussie is...

 

[expothead]

what is the community concern though?

As ever: fear of the unknown.

 

[madmick19]

1
DRUGS: ABSOLUTISM, RELATIVISM AND REALISM
Deviance
Behaviour in human societies is governed by rules or norms. There are appropriate and inappropriate ways of acting whether one is talking about a classroom during a lesson, running in a marathon or dancing at a disco. The sociology of deviance focuses upon rulebreaking: it looks at who breaks rules, why they do and what happens to them. Much of sociology, of course, is concerned with how social order occurs, the way in which society manages to hang together. The study of deviance looks at the other side of the coin.
Ironically, to study deviance is often a short cut to understanding why people conform. And, of course, the sociology of deviance involves precisely the same theories as those occurring in the rest of sociology, merely approaching the same problems from the reverse direction.

Deviance and crime (that is deviant behaviour which involves law-breaking) are the staple fare of much of our mass media. For example, every evening on British television there is on average five hours of police drama programmes on four channels. Even the Western, of course, is a very stylized study in rule-breaking: of crime, robbery and deceit in a mythical frontier America. The news, too, is full of stories of crime, terrorism and disaster, and tends to highlight bad news, the deviant side of events and happenings.



another good article to understand some of the thinking behind the drug debate from an australian researcher Robin Room:


The Cultural Framing of Addiction1
Robin Room
Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs
Stockholm University
The concept of addiction is historically and culturally specific, becoming a common way of understanding experience first in early nineteenth-century America. This paper considers the relation to the concept of elements in current professional definitions of addiction (as dependence). Addiction concepts have become a commonplace in storytelling, offering a secular equivalent for possession as an explanation of how a good person can behave badly, and as an inner demon over which a hero can triumph.
This paper is concerned with addiction as a set of ideas that have a history and a cultural location. “Addiction” is used here as a general term to cover a territory for which a number of other terms have been used: notably “alcoholism”; before that, “inebriety,” in the long history of thinking about alcohol; and “dependence,” in current nosologies. We are not concerned here with the truth value of addiction and cognate terms or with their empirical applicability. Thus we are not concerned, for instance, with whether there is really a single entity called “alcoholism” or whether alcoholism is really a disease.2 Instead, the concern is with what is meant when we talk about addiction and with the ways in which this conceptualization of behavior and events may be culturally framed.
In this context, I will also consider some of the functions that addiction and related concepts serve in storytelling in the modern era.

 

[belarki]

I have been onlline searching for a place for my mother to be able to go and recover form her alcohol addiction that is safe, loving, supportive and feels like a theraputic resort and not brick and concrete like a prison ! I have specifically registered on this site just to respond to the locals narrow minded selfish and unbelievable points of view on rehabilitation. ....

I wil be fighting for this for all the people that deserve love and support AND a huge HUG for deciding to change their loives and the lives of all their loved ones around them ~ CONGRATULATIONS to al people o REHAB !!!!

Yours,
Donna Grey.

Welcome to Bluelight Donna. Unfortunately I highly doubt anyone of the "locals" with the "narrow minded selfish and unbelievable points of view on rehabilitation" are going to be reading these forums.

On the other hand you've certainly found a compassionate community who will more than likely support many of your views on the matter.

Wow I can't beleive it's been a year since this thread began, my how time flies....

 

[Busty St Clare]

Thanks Angelinabv, but if I am flying across the Pacific I will do what most high profile Australian drug addicts do and snort coke of hookers in Vegas instead.