Hawkesbury Now Home to New Community Drug and Alcohol Service

The Hawkesbury is now home to a community-based alcohol and other drugs support service. WHOS Hawkesbury provides a range of day treatment services for those living with alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues.

The free service is funded by Wentworth Healthcare, the provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, through the Federal Government’s Community Health and Hospitals Program. The Centre supports people with AOD issues within their own community where their friends, family and primary healthcare providers can all be part of their integrated recovery and care journey.  

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, drug-related hospitalisations continue to increase nationally. In the Nepean Blue Mountains region, over 2,000 people received treatment at an AOD treatment service funded by Wentworth Healthcare. The 2023 Wentworth Healthcare Needs Assessment notes that the most common drug of concern in the region is alcohol, accounting for over a quarter of those treated.

Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said, “Anyone can have issues with substance dependence, it doesn’t discriminate. In the Hawkesbury, there has been a lack of permanent and accessible services offering affordable community-based support.”

“When it comes to supporting people with AOD concerns, residential rehabilitation services are important but aren’t always suitable in every situation. Some people have responsibilities that prevent them from being able to commit to a residential program and this can act as a barrier..."

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