The Ted Noffs Foundation – a national leader in drug and alcohol services with more than 30 years in treating young people – will operate the facility.

It will deliver the Program for Adolescent Life Management (PALM) and the 5 year follow-up Continuing Adolescent Life Management (CALM), which has been operating in New South Wales and the Australia Capital Territory since 1995.

Published studies indicate the program is effective in achieving improved outcomes with young offenders, including significant improvements in mental health, reduced hospitalisation and illness, and importantly, significantly reduced drug use, which we know can be a major contributor to offending for this cohort.

Between 35 and 40 young people aged up to 17, who have been in contact with the youth justice system will be supported through the residential program within a 12-month period.

Minister for Youth Justice, Di Farmer, said they knew there was a strong connection between substance abuse and youth crime, which was why the Queensland Government was establishing the state’s first drug and alcohol facility for young people.

“Drug and alcohol misuse can have devastating consequences on a young person’s health, and rehabilitation is a crucial step towards helping them get their life back on track.

“We have already seen the success of the Ted Noffs Foundation work through Townsville Street Uni with 50 per cent of young people who stayed with the program, reducing their drug dependence.”

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