The Royal Australian College of GPs has welcomed the New South Wales Government's support for many of the recommendations contained in the 2024 Drug Summit Report .
Issued earlier today, the Government response confirmed support or in-principal support for 50 of its 56 recommendations relating to prevention, early intervention, community support, reducing stigma, workforce and reform.
RACGP NSW and ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman welcomed the commitment to achieving sensible reforms that will save lives.
"We're achieving progress, no patient experiencing alcohol and other drug issues should be left behind," she said.
"It's positive news that the NSW Government has supported so many of the report's recommendations. This includes reforming the Early Drug Diversion Initiative, and ensuring life-saving naloxone, which can temporarily save the life of someone experience an opioid overdose, is made available in licensed venues across the state to include as part of their first aid responses.
"The College also welcomes the Government 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.
"We're making progress, but there's still a long way to go. We still only have one medically supervised injecting facility in Sydney, and we need more of these services statewide. It's also vital to expand the reach of needle and syringe programs, particularly in rural, regional, and remote parts of the state where these services can be few and far between."
The RACGP's addiction medicine spokesperson, Dr Marguerite Tracy, backed Dr Hoffman's calls.
"We're making progress, but more must be done to help patients experiencing harms from alcohol and other drug use and this response is welcome. We look forward to working with the NSW Government to achieve real and lasting change," she said.
"Having a health-first approach with harm reduction measures at the core of assisting people with alcohol and other drug use will save lives. It's also very positive that the Government's response recognises decreasing stigma and ensuring that all patients can get the care and support they need. Decreasing time spent on convictions for drug charges is also so important, this allows people to keep their lives on track for years to come.
"GPs and practice teams must be central to achieving these reforms, and this includes better supporting preventive care and early intervention. We're the first port of call for patients seeking help, and it's vital that we're consulted and part of this process every step of the way.
"The College also threw its support behind the Government launching the state's first drug checking pilot program. This is a step in the right direction, and I hope the Government will further expand drug testing services statewide, including fixed sites as well as services as events such as music festivals."
"At the end of the day, every life matters, and we must do all we can to help people experiencing harms from alcohol and other drug use."
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