The Young Street Centre is a substance misuse centre, aimed at working with Indigenous and non-indigenous people and is one of three being built in the region, with Ceduna and Coober Pedy, from recommendations from a 2006 COAG report.

Mark Thompson from Aboriginal Clinical Services at the Drug and Alcohol Service SA said misuse of alcohol, cannabis, petrol and other solvents was the most common for the Port Augusta service.

He said the centre would collaborate with other key services in the city, including the mobile assistance patrol and sobering up units, to help curb drug and alcohol abuse.

New manager of the day centre Rick Dadleh said the need for the service is: “very obvious and necessary.

“We really do need this services in Port Augusta, to address the ongoing issues related to substance abuse … and it needs to be a holistic approach, especially when working with Aboriginal people.”

The centre will offer assessments, counselling services, referrals to other services for detox or residential services as well as access to food and showering facilities.

Mayor Joy Baluch is among those hoping for the best for the centre.

“It’s going to be a good thing,” Ms Baluch said.

Yet she said what the city really needed was a rehabilitation centre.

“What we’re aiming for is a rehabilitation centre … we were told 23 years ago through the (State Govern­ment’s) McAdam report that we needed one, but 23 years later we’re still waiting.”

Mr Thompson said discussions were being held for the possibility of Commonwealth funded rehabilitation residential service.