Introduction by Croakey: Amid preparations for the upcoming NSW Drug Summit, it’s timely to reflect upon the history of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’, which made recommendations for tackling health and social harms caused by the illicit drug crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘ice’, and other amphetamine-type stimulants.
The inquiry, which launched in 2018, made 109 recommendations across government, including:
- greater coordination of alcohol and other drug policy
- decriminalisation
- reframing substance use as a health issue
- a greater investment in treatment, diversion and workforce initiatives
- education and prevention programs
- better data, reporting and research
- a clear focus on priority populations, especially Aboriginal people who experience disproportionate impacts from amphetamine-type stimulants, rural and regional people, and people in contact with the criminal justice system.
In March 2020, then Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government would consider 104 of the 109 recommendations. Those excluded were recommendations for additional medically supervised injecting centres, around substance checking, ceasing use of drug detection dogs, and needle and syringe programs in correctional centres.
The NSW Government eventually supported 86 of the inquiry’s recommendations, with the Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs responsible for implementing health-related recommendations from the Government response to the inquiry. An update on progress is here.
The upcoming NSW Drug Summit, which will be held over multiple days – with regional forums in October, followed by forums in Sydney on 4 and 5 December – is an important opportunity to revisit the inquiry and implementation of related reforms.
In the statement below, the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Residential Rehabilitation Network (ADARRN) calls for the Summit to consider the inquiry’s recommendations, especially those emphasising the need for culturally safe interventions, community-led initiatives, and holistic support systems tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous peoples.
Statement by Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Residential Rehabilitation Network (ADARRN)
As we prepare for the NSW Drug Summit in October and December 2024, it is imperative that we centre our discussions on Indigenous leadership and incorporate the insights provided by the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’ report and the principles outlined by the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Residential Rehabilitation Network (ADARRN) Model of Care.
This will mean listening to and valuing the qualitative data and stories from impacted and concerned community leaders and members while acknowledging and appreciating both the lived and living experiences.
ADARRN look forward to being part of the announced NSW Drug Summit in both the regional forums in October and the two days of forums in Sydney on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December.
The NSW Drug Summit is being designed to bring together including medical experts, police, people with lived and living experience, drug user organisations, families, and other stakeholders to provide a range of perspectives and build consensus on the way NSW deals with this complicated issue.
When we discuss drug policy and drug treatment in NSW, we should not ask why what we are doing is not working. We should ask, “What is working, what are our collective strengths and how can we build on them?”
We then need to identify what is working and embed it into what we are doing across the sector. We also need to review what isn’t working, and then take a measured approach to implement change in the sector with strategic consideration for long-term opportunities and consequences of any change, especially to the most vulnerable population in the community which sadly includes Aboriginal populations throughout NSW.
ADARRN believe that the importance of valid, reliable and timely information is critical to any decisions made during or after the Drug Summit.
Any notion that there is a simple fix to the current issues surrounding drug use through legal changes needs to be dismissed. We need to recognise drug use will always occur, but that the environment, drug types and impacts are fluid, there is no one solution that will work for all.
What is really important is that moves are made to ensure better data and information are used to assess outcomes and inform timely improvements to policy and practice. The Summit needs to recognise and manage the risk that decisions are made without regard to quality and comprehensive evidence (including qualitative evidence from the Aboriginal community).
The Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’ report offers a comprehensive understanding of the impact of substance abuse, particularly ‘ice’, on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through NSW.
Its recommendations emphasise the need for culturally safe interventions, community-led initiatives, and holistic support systems tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous peoples. ADARRN believe any investment in treatment should be across a wide variety of services from prevention, harm minimisation and recovery services such as our ADARRN members who provide over 100 “culturally grounded residential beds in NSW”.
Furthermore, the ADARRN vision and mission statement underscore the significance of Indigenous leadership in addressing substance abuse issues. The ADARRN Model of Care prioritises cultural connection, community engagement, and healing practices.
In line with these principles, we must advocate for policies and programs that empower Indigenous communities to lead the way in tackling problematic drug use and the associated issues. This involves investing in culturally appropriate treatment services, fostering partnerships between Indigenous organisations and government agencies, and promoting community-driven solutions.
By incorporating Indigenous leadership and the insights of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’ report and ADARRN principles into our discussions, we can work towards a more inclusive and effective approach to addressing drug abuse in NSW, one that respects the unique cultural heritage and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Previously at Croakey
- Ahead of the NSW Drug Summit, here are five ways to prevent overdose deaths, by Dr Steph Kershaw and Dr Jack Wilson
- New drug laws are a step in the right direction for NSW, but upcoming Drug Summit should progress these recommendations, by Robert Stirling
