Introduction by Croakey: A new approach to addressing minor drug possession in New South Wales – due to take effect from 29 February – is a step in the right direction, according to the state’s alcohol and other drugs agencies. But much more needs to be done to support and achieve better outcomes for people who use drugs, they caution.
The state’s peak organisation for the non-government drug and alcohol sector (NADA) has released a position statement including recommendations for leaders to consider at the long-awaited NSW Drug Summit, which the Labor Government indicated they would host if elected in the 2023 State election.
The first, and last, Drug Summit was held in NSW in 1999 – no details have yet been publicly confirmed for the next one.
NADA CEO Dr Robert Stirling writes below that the summit has potential to be a “significant turning point in drug and alcohol policy”, as happened with the 1999 event.
A spokesperson for the NSW Government told Croakey that the Government “is tracking to hold a Drug Summit in 2024,” and that a date for the summit and other details will be announced in due course.
“The summit will bring together health and medical experts, police, drug user organisations, families, and other stakeholders,” the spokesperson said.
Robert Stirling writes:
Under changes which come in to effect in New South Wales from February 29, people who are caught with small quantities of illicit drugs for personal use will be able to access health programs or receive a fine rather than face criminal charges.
This new approach to addressing minor drug possession in NSW is a significant step in the right direction to helping people who use drugs access the support they need.
Precious resources are spent prosecuting people for minor drug possession every day in NSW. For decades, international experience has shown that these resources would be far better spent treating drug and alcohol use as a health issue instead of a criminal issue.
Provided the health system is properly resourced to support people who use drugs and alcohol, this change will provide thousands of people with an opportunity for treatment. However, there is much more to do if we are to deliver the best health and wellbeing outcomes for the community.
We’re told that in 2024 NSW will hold its first Drug Summit in more than two and a half decades. As we saw at the last Summit in 1999, there is potential for this to be a significant turning point in drug and alcohol policy.
Recommended steps
The Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies (NADA) is the peak organisation for non-government drug and alcohol sector in NSW, representing 80 members who provide services in more than 100 locations across the state.
We hear from more than 1,000 people on the ground, delivering firsthand accounts of where the system is crumbling, and it is on that basis that we can say we know there are several crucial steps our leaders must take for the 2024 NSW Drug Summit to be a success.
The first is ensuring those who use, or have used, drugs, and their families, are the strongest voice at the Summit. Hearing the lived experience of the individuals facing the daily reality of policies is critical. So too is the depth of expertise, knowledge and data evidence from the frontline workers we represent.
Next, we need to develop polices and programs we need to ensure a holistic approach is considered.
Drug use needs to be treated and seen as a health issue, and the time has come for us to shift the stigma and discrimination around seeking help – because those prevent people seeking treatment and ultimately costs lives.
Our approach needs to consider physical, psychological, social and emotional wellbeing of the individuals, as well as their families and communities.
And we need to ensure intersecting departments and sectors are involved and supported to treat drug users with compassion, not as criminals.
There is a wealth of evidence in this space pointing to the best ways to care for people who use drugs.
Ranging from prevention and early intervention to treatment and harm reduction, the focus should be on advancing programs and updating our policies to enhance what we already know works.
We already know decriminalising minor drug use delivers the best health and wellbeing outcomes for the community, so that should be on the table as well.
Vicious cycle
We also must address stigma and discrimination.
In health settings, this can look like outright denial of care, denial of pain relief and physical and verbal abuse through to more subtle behaviours such as derogatory language and making people wait longer for treatment.
In policing, this can mean physically handling people more aggressively, or unfairly targeting people from marginalised and disadvantaged populations.
For people who are already dealing with complex circumstances – lack of housing, education, employment opportunity or community connection – the stigma and discrimination creates a vicious cycle that directly prevents them from accessing help with drug or alcohol use, and that has serious consequences.
Yes, these solutions will require additional funding, new processes, policies and programs. But, if correctly implemented, they will in the longer term save the state money, time and most importantly, thousands of lives.
Across Australia, more than 2,000 lives have been lost to drug use in the past year alone. These devastating figures reflecting a disheartening reality, that our current approach is failing those it is designed to help.
Treating drug use as a health issue rather than through the courts is the right place to start.
Read NADA’s position on the NSW Drug Summit here.
Dr Robert Stirling is Chief Executive Officer of the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA) – the New South Wales peak organisation for the non-government alcohol and other drugs sector, representing 80 organisational members that provide services in over 100 locations across NSW.
Additional support
Help with alcohol and other drugs: For 24/7 free, confidential alcohol or other drug support, contact www.counsellingonline.org.au or call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015 to speak to someone in your state.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
beyondblue: 1300 224 636
13Yarn: 13 92 76
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
QLife: 1800 184 527
Check-In (VMIAC, Victoria): 1800 845 109
Lived Experience Telephone Line Service: 1800 013 755
See Croakey’s archive of articles on prevention.
