OVER a period of just a few months recently, Barkandji woman Patsy Doolan lost people close to her to alcohol and drug-related illness.

Both were still young.

But if Mildura had better access to alcohol and drug rehabilitation services, she believes they would have had a better chance.

"It kills me to see some of the families around here and how they suffer," said Wiradjuri woman Jemmes Handy.

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