Drug, alcohol addicts in Murray Bridge to receive counselling, support from Murray Mallee GP Network after $1.5 million federal grant

The program will include early intervention, one-on-one counselling, support groups and educational sessions, and is described as "the gold standard" for treating methamphetamine addiction.

It will be provided by the Murray Mallee General Practice Network (MMGPN), which has supported locals with mental health and other issues for more than 20 years.

The equivalent of five full-time employees will be hired to run the program.

MMGPN chief executive Cathy Spanton said it would meet a high level of need in the Murraylands.

"It's not going to be a mandatory program where it's part of someone's parole or a court order; it's a free service for people who want to give up," she said.

"We're hoping to increase people's access to support when and where they need it."

At present, Ms Spanton said, "minimal" drug and alcohol services were available in Murray Bridge for people who were non-Indigenous and not subject to court or child protection orders.

Those services which did operate locally were at crisis point, according to MMGPN's funding application.

For example, Drug and Alcohol Services SA had only been able to employ one part-time worker in Murray Bridge over the past 20 years, despite an increase in drug use over that time.

The region's only drug rehabilitation centre was exclusively for Indigenous people, and was also under-resourced.

The resulting delays in getting addicts the treatment they needed caused many to relapse.

Not much support was available to people who had escaped their addiction, either.

Baptist Care, Mission Australia, the Aboriginal Health Council of SA and the SA Network of Drug and Alcohol Services will also share another $1.5 million worth of funding, announced by federal Health Minister Greg Hunt and MP Tony Pasin last week.

"Alcohol and drug misuse doesn't just affect one person; it also affects their families, friends and the surrounding community," Mr Hunt said.

"Increasing the level of funding for drug and alcohol treatment ... will improve lives."