Esther Foundation survivor says private mental health, drug and alcohol treatment centres need to be regulated

A survivor of a highly controversial religious rehabilitation centre in the Perth Highlands says he is disappointed the State Government is not taking action to regulate similar centres.

More than 70 witnesses appeared before the 2022 Commission of Inquiry into the Esther Foundation, detailing practices ranging from exorcisms to sexual orientation change therapy, as well as strapping patients to beds for extended periods.

Survivor Gabriel Osborne founded Flying Free to support people who have suffered mental harm and/or distress due to alcohol and other drugs in Western Australia.

He says recent allegations of patient abuse at a private facility north of Esperance, on Western Australia’s south coast, show the government needs to take action to regulate the sector.

Multiple former residents of Adult and Teen Challenge spoke to ABC last week about their concerns about the facility, including poorly trained staff, limited medical services and irresponsible spending.

Adult and Teen Challenge WA executive director Steve Hall promised to review the program.

ABC does not suggest that the practices used at Esperance are comparable to those used at Esther House.

Gabriel Osborne is a survivor of Esther House.(Delivered)

However, Mr Osborne said residents’ experiences showed an urgent need for regulation.

“People who have addiction and mental health issues are human and deserve to be treated well,” he said.

“The government is now showing that it does not care (about them) enough.”

An Esther Foundation investigation has found that drug and alcohol treatment services that do not receive government funding are unregulated.

The same was true for mental health services. which do not receive government funding, the only exception being private psychiatric hospitals.

The government has promised to reform the sector, but this promise has not yet been fulfilled.

“Work is ongoing to refine the updated legislation,” a WA Health spokesman said.

“(It) aims to introduce mechanisms to ensure the effective and efficient regulation of private healthcare facilities, including mental health services and alcohol and drug services.”

“This is a really harmful practice”

The ABC has seen evidence that a former Adult and Teen Challenge resident, who did not want to be named, attempted to raise his concerns with government agencies and regulatory bodies.

She was told there was little they could do until Washington state changed its laws regarding unlicensed alcohol, drug and mental health treatment facilities.

Mr Osborne said the lack of action was discouraging.

“When nothing changes, I really feel like I’ve been punched in the face,” he said.

He added that his organization had been contacted by concerned former residents of about six illegal alcohol and drug outlets.

The Adult and Teen Challenge centre is located approximately 30 kilometres north of Esperance, WA.(ABC Esperance: Emily Smith)

He added that many people had concerns about the fact that, until recently, the staff had been residents themselves.

“It’s a really harmful practice because there are residents who are unknowingly causing harm to other residents who are using these services,” he said.

“And a vicious circle is created.”

One former resident said that almost all the support at Esperance Rehabilitation Centre was faith-based.(ABC Esperance: Emily Smith)

Mr Osborne believes the State Government’s reluctance to reform the sector was partly due to the risk of a widening gap between demand for rehabilitation services and the number of beds available.

However, he added that many operators will be able to adapt to future regulatory requirements.

“A lot of education is needed,” he said.

“Providers and those already treating patients won’t suddenly learn how to apply best practices—training is needed.”

Mr Osborne noted that many people had good experiences with illegal alcohol and drug addiction treatment centres.

“(But) it doesn’t diminish the fact that people feel they have been wronged,” he said.

The regulatory process will take some time

Western Australian Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (WANADA) Chief Executive Jill Rundle said staff and skills shortages were a significant issue in the sector.

She added that most services employ qualified counsellors who are expected to have experience in alcohol and drug issues.

A shuttle bus takes residents to Esperance, approximately 30km away.(ABC Esperance: Emily Smith)

She also added that most of them are actively expanding their competences to be able to deal with areas such as mental health.

“(However) it all depends on the resources and the available manpower to make sure it can be done,” she said.

“The mental health sector also needs to develop its capacity to respond to co-occurring niche problems and needs.”

Adult and Teen Challenge announced that it is accredited by the Institute for Healthy Communities (IHCA).

Ms Rundle said that while this did not negate the need for regulation, it was “definitely a clear step towards demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement”.

She said it was “extremely encouraging” that the government had promised to introduce regulations, noting the process would take time.

“It’s not like you just turn on a switch and suddenly everything happens,” she said.

Adult and Teen Challenge WA executive director Steve Hall said the aim of the program was to help people.(ABC Esperance: Hayden Smith)

Adult and Teen Challenge director Steve Hall said he would support regulation but believed it was important the sector could continue to offer a variety of treatment models.

“(Regulation) wouldn’t make any difference to us,” he said.

“But we will welcome it.”