Monash Health is providing a new Public Intoxication Service in the City of Greater Dandenong as part of the Department of Health’s Public Intoxication Health Response Trial. The Assertive Outreach Service will work closely with Ngwala Willumbong, our partner provider, to support people intoxicated in public.
Commencing on 1 September, the service works with emergency responders to help people who are intoxicated to access better support and to provide pathways to a safe space.
The second phase of this trial is the establishment of a Sobering Service/Safe Space. This will provide a dedicated place for intoxicated people to rest and recover, and to be engaged and supported in identifying their needs with support plans and follow-up referrals if required. The Sobering Service/Safe Place is due to open over the coming months.
The Public Intoxication Health Response Trials will operate between 2022 and 2023 over four local government areas – the City of Greater Dandenong, the City of Yarra, the City of Greater Shepparton, and Mount Alexander Shire. The trial precedes the repeal of the offence of public drunkenness, after which the new health response will be rolled out across Victoria.
You can find out more about the new health-based response to public intoxication on the Department of Health website.
Approved by Elizabeth Scutt, Acting General Manager