NSW Government to spend $21 million for treatment clinics to meet Australia’s ‘unique needs’ as drug summit continues
More support to treat people struggling with alcohol and other drugs has been announced ahead of a second regional forum gathering perspectives on drug use and responses.
Four years of funding worth $21 million has been earmarked for treatment and support in northern NSW ahead of the state drug summit’s second hearing in Lismore on Monday.
Health Minister Ryan Park said it was an important investment in life-changing services.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“This funding will focus on increasing access to evidence-based treatment, prevention and early intervention services, especially in regional and rural areas,” he said.
“These new programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of people living in regional areas, and priority population groups including Aboriginal people, pregnant women, people with mental health conditions, young people, and people involved in the criminal justice system.”
Up to six months of support is planned to provide day rehabilitation and care coordination for parents with substance use disorders.
Withdrawal management through general practitioners and counsellors and support for prisoners as they prepare to leave custody and transition back into the community has also been announced.
Services for young people will be expanded, with funding for the local health district to help expectant mothers struggling with substance use.
The state Labor government fulfilled an election promise to hold a drug summit with the first day of hearings in Griffith on Friday.
But it has been criticised over the guest list and expected outcomes, with some ideas dismissed ahead of the summit.
Before it began, Premier Chris Minns hosed down suggestions cannabis should be decriminalised for personal use, or that NSW would follow other states and territories in introducing pill-testing regimes.
The government pledged almost $10 million for similar support in Griffith coinciding with Friday’s hearing.
Two hearings are scheduled in Sydney in December.
The summit aims to build consensus and social licence for drug reforms — modelled on a week-long forum in 1999 that led to Australia’s first supervised injecting room.
