6 | Key issues and concerns RECOMMENDATION 6: The Department and Serco should implement wastewater testing to measure the prevalence of drug use within the centre. As noted previously by the Commonwealth Ombudsman, ‘[d]rug infiltration and substance misuse is a multi-faceted and complex issue that cannot simply be resolved through tighter security controls and restrictions on people in detention’.60 The Commission agrees with this statement and notes that the above recommendations will not lead to any meaningful increase in safety without there also being a more significant investment in engaging more people in detention in alcohol and drug counselling, harm minimisation, access to treatment and rehabilitation, and further education to highlight and discourage risky behaviours associated with drug use (such as needle-sharing). These investments alone are likely to have greater benefits for the behavioural management of the whole centre than enhanced search powers or drug prevalence testing. This is particularly important noting the largest proportion of s 501 cancellations and subsequent detention between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2023 related to drug offences (22%) and was the primary category of offending.61 During the inspection, the Commission was advised that YHIDC had an alcohol and drug worker, and that opioid substitution was accessible. However, no specialist counselling is provided onsite to support the program. One person spoken to during the 30 inspection told the Commission that he was on methadone and reported that he had to be taken to Perth for related appointments. Minimal harm minimisation or addiction counselling appeared to be provided, nor were there any therapeutic groups being run with a specific alcohol and drug focus or individual rehabilitation services. YHIDC staff acknowledged that there were not enough demand reduction initiatives and reported that they would like to see more drug and alcohol programs being delivered. The Commission has previously recommended that drug and alcohol rehabilitation be introduced ‘as a core component of the health care services and activities delivered in immigration detention’.62 The Commission has also noted that access to statebased services may vary from state to state and while some people in detention are able to access opioid substitution programs, these programs are not suitable for all drug users and do not provide holistic rehabilitation services.63 The Commission’s view is that the current alcohol and drug service provision at YHIDC is inadequate for the level of need within the population and a more comprehensive program should be developed. RECOMMENDATION 7: The Department, Serco and IHMS should increase the provision of counselling, rehabilitation services and education to minimise harm and reduce demand for alcohol and other drugs within the detained population at the centre.