- Published:
- Tuesday 25 March 2025
The Allan Labor Government is making sure Victorians seeking help for opioid dependence can access medical treatment, closer to home – with a new pharmacotherapy grants program.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today announced the 15 community health services who will share in $8.4 million to expand the availability of this life-changing addiction treatment.
Pharmacotherapy is the use of medication (such as methadone and buprenorphine) to help treat opioid dependence and is an essential part of Victoria’s efforts to reduce drug harm, with around 15,000 Victorians using pharmacotherapy each day.
Until now, pharmacotherapy services have largely been provided by GPs, nurse practitioners and state-funded clinics across Victoria – making these new grants for community health services a critical tool in filling service gaps by providing these services where they are needed most.
Funding will be provided over three years to the following metro and regional community health services:
Ballarat Community Health
Barwon Health
Bendigo Community Health Services
DPV Health
Echuca Regional Health
Gateway Health
Gippsland Lakes Complete Health
Goulburn Valley Health
Grampians Community Health
Latrobe Community Health Service
Monash Health
Peninsula Health
South West Healthcare
Western Health
Your Community Health
Making pharmacotherapy accessible at these services will mean up to an additional 1,500 Victorians will be able to undertake this life-changing treatment – adding to the more than 40,000 Victorians accessing help through the various state-funded alcohol and drug treatment and support services each year.
The grants are part of the Labor Government’s $95 million Statewide Action Plan to reduce drug harms, which includes a further $7.2 million investment to deliver Victoria’s first hydromorphone trial and the establishment of 20 naloxone vending machines.
It will also see a trial of Victoria’s first overdose prevention and response helpline, the appointment of Victoria’s first Chief Addiction Medicine Adviser and the delivery of Victoria’s first statewide strategy to reduce drug harms.
The Labor Government is dedicated to reducing drug harm – investing almost $3 billion in alcohol and drug treatment, supports and services.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt
“Pharmacotherapy is a proven, lifesaving treatment for people with opioid dependence, which is why we are making it more accessible through community health services right across Victoria.”
“Victorians struggling with addiction deserve the best care, no matter where they live – and our Statewide Action Plan will change and save lives.”