Western Region Alcohol and Drug Centre (WRAD) director Geoff Soma called for prompt action.

Mr Soma said the organisation was reliant on state government money, with half of its funding coming from the treasury coffers.

He said the pharmacotherapy program, which helped 100 people in the region, was one program fully funded by the state government.

“We’re hoping to receive some of those funds,” he said.

“That directly affects 100 people that are trying to give up injecting drugs.”

Mr Soma said there was speculation that funding would be directed to the growth corridors on the fringe of Melbourne.

“Something needs to happen and it needs to happen soon, otherwise we can’t continue to operate these services,” he said.

“Probably in Victoria drugs and alcohol costs the community about $6 billion a year.

“The state government says they are spending about $170 million.

“The whole thing belies logic. The numbers don’t add up and they don’t take into account the costs of trendy, party drugs.”

Mr Soma said alcohol and drug addiction was a health problem and should be treated as one.

“I recently saw a sticker which said ‘it’s not a war on drugs, it’s a war on drug addicts’,” he said.

“There are people who are genuinely trying to give up and for whatever reason they can’t.

“If we didn’t have medical services, philanthropic and federal government projects, WRAD would be half the size it is.

“We understand there are so many restrictions on government and they have done some good work in some areas.

“But someone needs to take responsibility for the awful harm created by drugs and alcohol.”

Mr Soma’s comments come after the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association said this year’s state budget must redress the long-term neglect of funding for alcohol and other drug treatments to tackle the growing demand for services in regional Victoria.

VAADA executive officer Sam Biondo said that the alcohol and other drug treatment system was under considerable strain and that there was a need for more funding and more co-ordinated government action.

“There seems to be an apathy in government circles about the unacceptably-high deaths arising from alcohol or other drugs use,” he said.

“We know that engaging in treatment saves lives, yet governments seem unwilling to fund it properly.

“People struggling with substance dependence are some of the most marginalised people in society. Failing to fully fund treatment is pushing them further out and creating greater downstream costs in the health system,” Mr Biondo said.

“The state government needs to get departments working together and show a genuine commitment to cutting the deaths and damage caused by alcohol and other drugs.”