Advertisement An investigation into Victoria’s unregulated private drug rehabilitation system has found vulnerable patients are being referred to operators accused of exploitative billing practices, treating people without appropriate expertise and employing misleading advertising. After a two-year investigation, Health Complaints Commissioner Karen Cusack found that long waiting lists in the public system meant Victorians were left with no choice but to pay more than $30,000 for a residential place in privately run clinics of varying quality. Melbourne business woman Lily Owen, who beat a methamphetamine “ice” addiction. “The unregulated nature of the private sector has allowed numerous operators to open [alcohol and other drug] treatment services without the necessary competence, skills or experience,” Ms Cusack wrote in a report to Health Minister Martin Foley to be made public on Friday.