Local lawyer joins drug & alcohol fight

RESPECTED Mount Gambier lawyer Bill DeGaris has taken on the role of Patron for Substance Misuse Limestone Coast (SMLC), in a first for the not-for-profit organisation.

Founder of DeGaris Lawyers, and a lawyer for 50 years, Mr DeGaris said both professional and personal experiences had led to his decision to accept the role, and also his belief in SMLC’s current mission – establishing a dedicated Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service facility for the Limestone Coast.

Throughout his legal career, Mr DeGaris said he witnessed firsthand how substance misuse frequently underpinned criminal offending, spiralling into further problems with housing, mental health and employment and frequently, recidivism.

“We experienced the devastating effect of substance misuse through the legal system. Criminalisation has been totally ineffective. But we have, through personal experience, found that an ad hoc approach to services is also ineffective.”

“Alignment of services and continuity of care is crucial to supporting a person when they first need assistance. This care model needs continuity for the individual, family and circle of friends throughout the recovery process,” Mr DeGaris said.

Ultimately, Bill supports SMLC’s ongoing mission to bring a specialised AOD service model to the Limestone Coast.

“I admire the work SMLC are doing to address the serious social issues associated with substance misuse in our community. We need another care model and I believe SMLC is on the right path.” he said.

“Anything SMLC can implement which helps individuals, and their families can only improve outcomes and strengthen our society.”

The inaugural Board Director and chair of the South East Regional Health Service Inc, Mr DeGaris was also a Director and Chair of the Stand Like Stone Foundation and has been involved in various roles with Rotary International for more than four decades.

SMLC Board Chair Sue Thomson said their new patron’s knowledge and experience would both complement and add to the Board’s existing skillsets.

“I am very pleased that Bill accepted our invitation to be SMLC’s first Patron and look forward to working with him and the Board,” she said. “With Bill’s knowledge and support, I am confident that we can achieve our goals for improved AOD services in our region.”