Manly Drug Education & Counselling Centre (MDECC) has announced a new name to reflect the expansion of their services for young people with alcohol and other drug addictions and their families.
MDECC will now be known as SDECC (Sydney Drug Education & Counselling Centre).
Russell Wolfe, Chairperson said “This name change respects our history, reputation and iconography as a community organisation but also reflects the growth and progress we are making to achieve our goals”
“We have retained the pine tree logo, as it is familiar to our clients and represents the evidence based, high quality service they currently receive, which will be maintained as the organisation grows. What has changed is the fact that we can offer this important service to more young people and their families across the region” he said.
SDECC will now provide services at facilities in Manly and the Chatswood area.
This has all been made possible following SDECC’s successful tender to provide a specialised non-residential intensive support program for our particularly vulnerable clients with Sydney North Primary Health Network (SNPHN). The funding for local services is part of the Government’s response to the National Ice Taskforce report.
SDECC will receive Federal funding to provide the intensive support program across both sites as an enhancement to existing services. Services will be provided to young people and their families in Mosman, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Lane Cove, Ryde, Hornsby, Kuring-gai, Hunters Hill and Willoughby.
Susan Watson, CEO said “Many of our clients have very complex needs and require more support than what we can offer right now, which is counselling once a week. This funding will enable us to provide this client group with intensive counselling at least 2 times a week as well as the opportunity to attend specialised groups. We will also be able to work closely with other services these clients may be involved with to ensure a coordinated approach to their care.”
It is anticipated approximately 80 young people will access the program as part of their ongoing treatment and support.
“This is a very exciting time for us as a local organisation being given the opportunity to grow, resulting in more of the young people we work with being safe, out of the hospital system, out of the criminal justice system, contributing to their community and achieving their potential.” She said.
