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McCusker Centre for Citizenship intern helps Mission Australia improve drug and alcohol services for young people in the Pilbara and South West

29 May, 2018

Emily Bell has always been passionate about giving back to the community.

The UWA Science student, who is studying Population Health and Physiology, recently completed a 3-month McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship with Mission Australia.

Emily worked on two evaluation reports for Mission Australia’s Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS) to identify gaps in the treatment or service facilities currently available to young people in the South West region of Western Australia as well as the Pilbara.

Mission Australia will use these reports to advocate for increased funding for young people experiencing alcohol or drug related issues and specifically on where service improvements could be made in the regions.

The reports have also been sent to the Mental Health Commission, WA Primary Health Alliance and the Department of Health.

Emily says the internship has significantly broadened her understanding about the circumstances of youth who are affected by drugs and alcohol.

“We tend to only hear about the consequences of drug and alcohol issues in young people and don’t realise how easily an individual can slip into a drug and alcohol addiction,” says Emily.

“DAYS does such amazing work, not only through providing young people with counselling and legal support but also friendships and the chance to positively engage with society; bringing the community back together,” she says.

The McCusker Centre for Citizenship offers students the opportunity to contribute to social solutions as part of their degrees, through structured internships with not for profit, community and government organisations locally, regionally and globally.

The Centre partners with more than 250 organisations such as Mission Australia.

“Partnering with the McCusker Centre for Citizenship has allowed us to conduct in depth reviews of our current service delivery models in regional and remote areas,” says Mission Australia’s Area Manager of Drug and Alcohol Youth Service, Suzanne Caren.

“The Centre’s interns, such as Emily, have exceeded our expectations and have helped us to identify where there is a greater need for our services,” Ms Caren says.

The McCusker Centre for Citizenship offers internships to all UWA students throughout the year – Semester 1, Winter, Semester 2 and Summer. See here for more information: