NSW Government commits to drug reform amid criticism of ‘lack of vision and boldness’

The government has supported or supported in principle over 50 recommendations from the Drug Summit Report, which emphasised a ‘whole-of-government, whole-of-community’ approach to preventing and reducing drug-related harm.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the government’s response “not only outlines opportunities for reform but also the significant work and investment that is already taking place.”

The NSW Government stated that substantial work and funding are underway, with multiple agencies committing more than $50 million per year to address several Drug Summit recommendations. Key initiatives already implemented or commenced include a 12-month drug checking trial at music festivals and the rollout of life-saving naloxone to be available in licensed venues as part of their first aid response to combat opioid overdose harm.

NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley reiterated that “drugs remain illegal and cause widespread harm.

“Police will remain focused on disrupting the supply of illicit drugs, but we want to ensure diversion opportunities and the appropriate health support is available to those who need it,” Catley said.

The government says it is also tackling housing and social support, with Homes NSW investing $10 billion over 10 years in new social housing. To support the sector, NSW Health has introduced five-year grant agreements for NGO service providers to ensure funding certainty.

“From a health perspective, we’ve announced almost a quarter of a billion dollars in investment in AOD support services; the introduction of 5-year grant agreements to provide them with more certainty; and a 12-month trial of drug checking at music festivals,” Park said.

Efforts are also focused on prevention and education, including expanding evidence-based, age-appropriate alcohol and other drug education in schools, establishing a new Office for Youth to improve engagement, and running targeted community awareness campaigns.

Attorney General Michael Daley said, “The Early Drug Diversion Initiative is key to alleviating pressure on our court system and allowing people to get help for substance abuse issues.”

“We will continue to invest in prevention and diversion to break the cycle of substance abuse offending,” Daley said. ​

However, Uniting NSW.ACT has expressed “disappointment and shock” at the NSW Government’s response, labelling the “lack of vision and boldness” as a profound letdown for the entire community.

Uniting is a key player in drug reform, having operated the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Kings Cross for nearly 25 years while simultaneously leading the Fair Treatment campaign for fairer drug laws for over seven years.

Emma Maiden, Uniting’s Director of Advocacy and External Relations, stated the government has “squibbed it,” failing to meet the moment with the same leadership shown by the Bob Carr government after the original 1999 summit.

“We, along with everyone who contributed to and participated in the NSW Drug Summit in good faith, are fundamentally let down,” Maiden said.

She argued that the response does not reflect the consensus and high expectations of experts, families, and organisations who participated in the summit, “hoping for meaningful and positive change”. Maiden also criticised the response for its “hurtful exclusion” of First Nations people and regional communities, groups disproportionately impacted by current drug laws.

Uniting described the government’s actions as a win for “bad politics over good policy,” claiming the response fails to fully adopt, resource, and implement the 56 recommendations of the Drug Summit Report. While acknowledging the welcome reforms to the Early Drug Diversion Initiative (EDDI), Uniting pointed out that this was already scheduled for review.

Furthermore, Maiden dismissed the promised “investigation” into cannabis driving laws as redundant, arguing that the government should instead take the action already identified by the Cannabis Inquiry. Warning that this weak response will only lead to further harm and stigma in NSW, Uniting, which runs the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre and spearheads the Fair Treatment campaign, pledged to continue campaigning for real reform.

“This latest disappointment is only going to lead to further harm, further stigma in NSW and that needs to be worn by the NSW Government,” Maiden said.

Law Society of NSW President, Jennifer Ball, welcomed the NSW Government’s response. She urged the government to “allocate the resources necessary” to implement recommendations that it had ‘supported in principle.’ Ball stressed that this funding is essential to address the health and social impacts of illicit drug use and to ensure further progress on Closing the Gap targets.

Ball noted the Government’s decision not to support the cessation of drug detection dogs and strip searches for suspected drug possession at music festivals. Citing the recent Supreme Court judgment in Meredith v State of NSW, she advised that the continued use of these “significant coercive powers should be exercised cautiously, and within the law.”

“The Law Society looks forward to assisting the Government on the implementation of these recommendations, in consultation with its expert policy committees.”