The NSW Government has today formally responded to the 2024 Drug Summit recommendations, building on its commitment to reform the state's whole-of-government approach to alcohol and other drug use, which will place harm reduction and wellbeing at the forefront of policy.
The 2024 Drug Summit, chaired by John Brogden AM and Hon. Carmel Tebbutt, delivered 56 recommendations to the NSW Government earlier this year.
This followed extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders including health experts, police, people with lived and living experience, service providers and community members.
In late 2024, more than 700 participants attended the Summit forums over four days across metropolitan Sydney, Griffith and Lismore, and 3,669 written submissions were received through an online survey.
The Drug Summit Report highlights the importance of a whole of government, whole of community response to preventing and reducing drug related harm.
The NSW Government has supported or supports in principle over 50 recommendations from the Drug Summit and as part of its response is committing to the following:
A whole of government Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy: to guide investments and program priorities for the next 10 years, underpinned by a harm-minimisation approach.
Reforming the Early Drug Diversion Initiative: to address restrictions relating to possession of multiple drugs, criminal history and threshold drug quantities.
Investigating a medical defence for people using medically prescribed cannabis who are driving: by considering the recommendations due to be provided by an expert working group which is assessing the evidence, reform options, safeguards and whole of government implementation considerations.
Reducing stigma and discrimination: by examining barriers to employment and exploring how to integrate the perspectives of people with lived experience in policies, programs and training.
Since the drug summit, work has already been underway with multiple agencies committing over $50 million per year to address several of the recommendations in the report including:
- Homes NSW investment of $10 billion over 10 years in new social housing, which includes a number of different delivery models.
- The commencement of a 12-month drug checking trial at music festivals.
- NSW Health's introduction of 5-year grant agreements for NGO service providers to increase job security and funding certainty across the sector.
- Expanding evidence-based age-appropriate alcohol and other drugs education in schools and other community settings.
- The establishment of a new Office for Youth, which NSW Health will work with to co-create social media content and increase engagement with young people.
- Life-saving naloxone to be available in licensed venues across the state to include as part of their first aid responses and help reduce opioid overdose harm.
- Raising community awareness and strengthening alcohol and other drugs education and health promotion through targeted campaigns such as Stay Strong, Stay OK, and festival based harm reduction.
Even before the drug summit, almost a quarter of a billion dollars has been invested by the NSW Government into drug and alcohol treatment and support across NSW including $221.7 million in regional and rural areas last year.
The NSW Government is working with relevant government and non-government stakeholders to release the state-wide Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy within the next 6 months.
The Strategy will align with the National Drug Strategy and include a monitoring and evaluation framework to guide implementation.
Learn more about the Drug Summit and the NSW Government's response.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"This whole-of-government response to the 2024 Drug Summit Report not only outlines opportunities for reform but also the significant work and investment that is already taking place.
"It recognises that drug reform traverses the spaces of health, law and order, education, housing and so much more.
"The government supports the vast majority of recommendations from the co-chairs, including the formation of a whole-of-government alcohol and other drug strategy to guide policy and investment for the next 10 years.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Yasmin Catley:
"Make no mistake 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.
"We know the Early Drug Diversion Initiative isn't working as well as it could be which is why work to reform the scheme is underway."
Quotes attributable to Attorney General Michael Daley:
"The Early Drug Diversion Initiative is key to alleviating pressure on our court system and allowing people to get help for substance abuse issues.
"The NSW Government is actively working to address restrictions on the initiative and improve its operation.
"We will continue to invest in prevention and diversion to break the cycle of substance abuse offending."
