Residents and health workers in Fitzroy Crossing are worried the town's existing drug and alcohol issues could increase as a result of the ongoing flood crisis.
Record-breaking wet weather has cut off main roads into the small outback town, with about 180 residents evacuated and relocated as flooding caused severe damage to their property and homes.
Mental health outreach worker Stewart Jan said stress among residents could worsen in coming weeks.
"When they get back to community and see what damage has been done, it's going to really take a toll," he said.
"There could be a high rise in anxiety, depression and just people feeling frustrated."
The region's suicide rates are among the highest in the country, with 54 people taking their own lives between 2017 and 2021.
Fitzroy Crossing implemented alcohol restrictions during 2007 that only allowed mid-strength alcohol to be bought takeaway, after community leaders took charge against family violence and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
In recent years, a sly-grogging and black-market alcohol trade has emerged in the town and Mr Jan feared heightened anxiety and uncertainty could contribute to substance abuse.
"Community members might search for other ways of self-medicating to get through this situation," he said.
Communities detoxing
Local alcohol stores in the outback town were also damaged in the flood, leading to fears about the dangerous side-effects of alcohol withdrawal symptoms for heavy users.
Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Mental Health executive manager Health Kristen Orazi said the community was already seeing the harmful effects.
"In addition to the alcohol restrictions, people are impacted because they can't get food or tobacco and services can't get in," she said.
"We know prohibition doesn't work.
"People are rapidly detoxing and withdrawing in a really unplanned way."
Ms Orazi said resources were already stretched.
"When you can't get them to a service that can support them through that, it becomes really hard," she said.
Locals call for better planning
Walmajarri man and Fitzroy Crossing resident Ismahl Croft raised concerns on social media about mental health and substance abuse in the isolated town.
He believed the emergency response could be better managed.
"This is a one-in-a-century flood and I think the response has been a bit ad hoc," Mr Croft said.
"People will do anything to meet the needs of their addiction."
Local radio broadcaster Natalie Davey believed mental health should be a priority for frontline responders.
She said the mental state of community members was hard to predict in uncertain times like this.
"It depends on how they cope under stress," Ms Davey said.
"If someone is in a high state of stress, we don't know if they're going to hurt themselves or others."
Government services in spotlight
Albert Wiggan from the Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service has stepped up to provide frontline support for displaced flood victims relocated to the town.
The Social and Emotional Wellbeing coordinator said with Broome cut off from its supply of alcohol and drugs, antisocial behaviour could be on the rise.
"In reality, it's probably going to escalate the level of crime and violence because people have been relying on drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism," Mr Wiggan said.
"It's really important that services locate these people and how they can be best supported."
Evacuees are slowly making their way home as floodwater subsides but it is uncertain when repairs will be underway and conditions will stabilise.
A state government spokesperson said resources and advice about alcohol dependence withdrawal symptoms was being provided to WA police and other stakeholders.
"A Mental Health team, which includes a mental health nurse, social worker and local Aboriginal mental health staffer, is available at the evacuation centre in Fitzroy Crossing and over telephone," the spokesperson said.
"Telehealth and counselling services are still being delivered by the WA Country Health Service to clients in Fitzroy Crossing and by the Kimberley Community Alcohol and Drug Service in Derby, depending on the location of the client."
WA Opposition Leader Mia Davies said the heightened level of stress was understandable in the circumstances.
"Clearly we've got a community that's under pressure, and you expect that [in] times of pressure, some of these things flare up," she said.
"It's how you respond to that and apply the resources that counts."
