December 19, 2022
News
The Western Region Alcohol and Drug Centre (WRAD) will now be known as WRAD Health.
The new name reflects the broad range of medical services being offered and recognises that substance use is a health issue.
The change, made after nearly 40 years with the original title, was adopted unanimously at the WRAD Heath annual general meeting.
CEO Geoff Soma said the original name didn’t cover the range of health services being offered to the community.
“Substance misuse is a complex issue that is often difficult for people to understand,” Mr Soma said. “It is not a justice issue or simply a drug issue, it is a health issue that creates a range of challenges for people in recovery. Just like other serious health problems it requires timely, directed and multiple layers of care.
“WRAD has worked hard over the years to address the broad range of problems facing people in recovery and remains committed to promoting substance misuse as a health issue.”
WRAD Health includes the Handbury Medical Suites bulk billing general practice with six doctors, along with a psychologist, psychiatrist and specialist substance misuse and mental health clinicians.
“We have and are taking a broader, holistic approach to treating clients and families with substance use issues and providing services for a range of health presentations,” Mr Soma said. “Health issues affect everyone in the community, and as a health issue so does substance misuse.”
Mr Soma said he believed the community had come to understand what WRAD does. “For years we’ve worked hard at promoting the WRAD Centre,” he said. “People understand that the acronym relates to substance misuse; now we’re focusing more on promoting the broad range of services that we offer.
“We’ve matured over the years and educated the community around substance issues and what we do, along with promoting the successes of people in recovery. We are confident that people will recognise that WRAD Health stands for quality treatment for everybody that can benefit from what we offer.”
WRAD HEALTH’s vision is to advance the health and wellbeing of those in the South Western Region of Victoria affected by Addictive behaviours and to promote optimal enjoyment of life.
WRAD HEALTH seeks to provide comprehensive, holistic support and treatment to individuals and others affected by addictive behaviors and associated issues.
The philosophy of harm minimisation underpins the delivery of all programs offered by WRAD HEALTH. This principle recognises that people in our society use both licit and illicit drugs, and that drugs can be used in ways that are more or less harmful to individuals, families and society. Harm minimisation offers a number of options designed to reduce the harm of drug use to the user and society.
Emergency call 000
For medical issues call South West Healthcare 55 631666
For mental health issues call SWH emergency dep't 55 631 666 or 1800 808 284
For drug and alcohol issues call Directline 1800 888 236
For Lifeline call 13 11 14
Or click on the links below for help.