Released 09/11/2023
The ACT Government has refurbished Karralika Therapeutic Community, providing modern, residential facilities for adults undertaking alcohol and other drug (AOD) residential rehabilitation.
The $1.3 million refurbishment includes upgrades to the kitchen, lounge, art room, outdoor facilities and bedrooms for residents undertaking rehabilitation.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Karralika Therapeutic Community provides a vital service to Canberrans experiencing harm from AOD.
“We want to ensure Canberrans seeking to address a drug or alcohol dependency have access to modern, residential facilities that best support the care they receive throughout their treatment journey,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“Karralika Programs provides education, counselling and support through their adult and family programs and the other services they deliver.
“These much-needed renovations will provide a positive and welcoming space to enhance residents’ healing and recovery, while also ensuring Karralika Programs can continue to support our growing community.”
The Karralika Therapeutic Community provides support for single adults and couples. The site includes accommodation, shared and common living areas, a communal activities space, grassed areas and vegetable garden along with administrative offices. The upgrades began in late March 2023 and were completed in September 2023.
Karralika Programs provides comprehensive residential AOD recovery programs for adults and their family along with Day Programs, non-residential withdrawal support, counselling and transition and aftercare support.
“The ACT Government invests more than $26 million each year in the AOD treatment sector,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“During 2022-23, more than $12.9 million of this funding was allocated to the non-government AOD sector, including Karralika Programs, the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy, CatholicCare, Ted Noffs, Toora Women and the Salvation Army.
“The ACT Government will continue working with NGOs and our community health providers to deliver evidence-based and practice informed policy that leads to better outcomes for individuals, their families, and the broader community.”
Last year, the Karralika Family Program Therapeutic Healing Garden was also upgraded with new garden features, sensory spaces, play equipment, an interactive bike track, a hand-ball court, and a barbeque area.
The upgrades are funded through the Commonwealth Government’s Community Health and Hospitals Program.
Quotes attributable to Karralika Programs CEO, Sharon Tuffin:
“We are excited to have these refurbishments completed, and we thank the ACT Government for investing in the upgrades and for recognising the importance of providing a safe and welcoming physical space alongside the therapeutically safe space that our staff and residents create for healing and recovery.
“Karralika Programs is celebrating 45 years of service to the ACT community and surrounding regions, having opened our first Therapeutic Community in 1978 and expanding our services and programs since then. We thank the individuals and families for their trust and confidence in us to support them and their loved ones.”
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases