A lifeline, not a cost
THE Aborigine and Islanders Alcohol Relief Services' centres in Cairns and Mareeba close on Monday after federal funding was withdrawn. Photographer SEAN DAVEY shows the faces of those who will be hit by the move
With the closure of Douglas House in Cairns and Rose Colless Haven at Mareeba, the closest alcohol rehabilitation centres for residents of the Cairns and Cape York region are in Townsville and the Gold Coast.
The Cairns Post photographer Sean Davey visited the centres for a news story but he felt compelled to return afterwards to take more pictures.
"We heard heart-breaking stories, and people had admitted their problems, which is a very brave and open thing to do," Sean says.
"I was interested in why the centres were so important to them."
Thomas Winkle, 42, for example, said he had been using the culturally sensitive service for 20 years.
"He said Douglas House is the only reason he’s still alive today and even he doubts whether he will survive through next year without it," Sean says.
In both centres, Sean found an incredibly supportive atmosphere that was promoting positive changes to these people’s lives.
"I wanted to focus on the people," he says.
"They have been through traumatic life experiences and gone through incredible pain."
"I don’t think we can overestimate how difficult any addiction is."
Most of the residents are expected to return home and not travel for further treatment. Of 18 residents in the Mareeba Haven, 13 have already left.
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