Coronavirus crisis: Shalom House nears capacity as addicts seek rehab amid tough COVID-19 lockdown, less access to drugs

Tough COVID-19 border controls are slowing the flow of drugs into WA and causing a surge in addicts seeking rehabilitation, Shalom House founder Peter Lyndon-James says. Mr Lyndon-James said his Swan Valley live-in rehabilitation centre had been taking in two new clients each day for the past week and was nearing capacity with 140 people now undergoing treatment there. “Illicit substance supplies have been disrupted — strict border controls have seen an incredible decrease in supplies,” he said. “Stern regulations around non-essential travel between different regions have meant that people can’t simply go for a drive to the next town to get drugs. Whilst an uncomfortable and unfortunate time for many, COVID-19 has also forced some to seek help to tackle their addiction, with such shortage of supplies.” Mr Lynden-James said Shalom House had temporarily put as pause on accepting new clients due to virus concerns but had decided last week it could not turn people away any longer. “Our phones haven’t stopped ringing,” he said. “With an incredibly large number of men desperately calling for help and the flattening of the curve we are seeing, we have had no choice but to resume our intakes. “When you are dealing with a person at such a critical and low point in their life, how fast you act can often be a matter of life and death.” To meet government quarantine regulations, Mr Lyndon-James said all new residents from outside the Perth metropolitan area were being quarantined for 14 days on arrival.