The Wangaratta Therapeutic Community was officially opened by the Premier of Victoria The Hon. Daniel Andrews, on Tuesday 19 April 2022.
The Wangaratta Therapeutic Community is a new state-wide Residential Rehabilitation Centre operated by Gateway Health (GH) in partnership with Odyssey House Victoria (OVH).
The centre, located at Greta Road in Wangaratta, is a 30-bed facility providing a ‘Therapeutic Community (TC)’ Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) program for adults experiencing harm and significant problems relating to their AOD use.
Mr Andrew’s called the Centre “a profound investment with better health outcomes, dignity and inclusion.”
“It’s about a new future. It’s about care and love and support. And it’s about filling a gap that has been in this community and indeed in many other parts of regional Victoria,” he said.
Under a therapeutic community model, residents will learn about themselves, gain self-esteem, develop self-respect, learn about others, and foster a sense of community and respect for others.
There is a focus on social, psychological and behavioral dimensions of substance use, with the use of the community to help heal individuals emotionally, and support the development of behaviors, attitudes and values of healthy living.
“To see this facility come together is a dream come true for those of us who have been working on it and the stakeholders who have advocated for it,” said Maryanne Donnellan – General Manager, Alcohol and Other Drugs.
Gateway Health Executive Director of Population Health, Planning and Performance, Jacki Eckert, said the organisation is proud to be delivering this program with the community alongside Odyssey House Victoria.
“This service reflects the genuine commitment of both organisations that all people, no matter their circumstances, should be able to access high-quality health care and support.”
For further information, please email communication@gatewayhealth.org.au
