A Bacchus Marsh not-for-profit drug rehabilitation centre that transformed the lives of people has closed its doors after an 11-month stint because of a lack of funding.
The closure of Bluebird House, which relied solely on funding and philanthropic donations, will come as a blow to a community grappling with an ice epidemic.
Brooke, one of 11 people to access treatment at Bluebird House, said the centre was vital in getting her clean and introducing her to an addiction-free world.
Brooke started abusing alcohol at age 12. By the time she was 16, she was addicted to ‘ice’.
It was a life that seemed to be spiralling out of control, but for the past 18 months, she has been clean thanks to the efforts of volunteers at Bluebird House.
“Bluebird gave me a chance at recovery; it helped me to change my way of thinking,” Brooke said. “I’ve always been taught how to get sick, but Bluebird House taught me how to get well. It was very hard and I felt very vulnerable, but it was the best thing that’s happened to me.
“I tried to get into so many rehabs, but unless mum put a mortgage on the house it was impossible. Even then, many centres rejected me as I was considered high-risk because of my mental health. Bluebird House staff came to me and exposed me to the facility and recovery.”
The ‘house’, which needs about $600,000 a year to be viable, has received only a $5000 Moorabool council grant and $15,000 in donations.
Co-founder Amber Farrugia said the house committee hoped money would start rolling in to fund a centre that was a solution to a problem many raised concerns about – the growing number of drug users and increasing cost of private rehab. Ms Farrugia said the ‘house’ offered a safe place and an opportunity for people to “renew themselves”. “These people need treatment. Drug addiction is a health condition, a medical condition. It’s not a moral failing,” she said.
Bluebird House committee members are in talks with another organisation and the federal government to ensure ongoing funding.
A federal Health Department spokeswoman said North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, whose catchment takes in Bluebird House, had received $6.4 million over three years to commission additional drug and alcohol treatment services.
