The NSW Drug Summit concluded on December 5th after an extensive consultation process spanning regional forums in Griffith and Lismore, followed by two days in Sydney. The summit brought together healthcare providers, community leaders, people with lived experience, and policymakers to address drug-related challenges.
Regional Insights
Griffith Forum
The sessions revealed significant concerns about the inequitable rollout of the Early Drug Diversion Initiative, with participants praising Canberra’s fixed-site drug checking service as a revolutionary model.
Lismore Perspectives
Discussions centred on post-flood trauma’s connection to substance use, with local services highlighting the urgent need for dual diagnosis treatment facilities. Community leaders emphasized the compounding effects of housing crisis and mental health challenges.
Working Group Recommendations
Safety and Justice
- Decriminalisation of drug use and possession
- Implementation of drug checking (pill testing) services
- Removal of drug detection dogs from festivals
- Elimination of strip searches for suspected possession
- Reform of the Early Drug Diversion Initiative
Youth and Family Support
- Enhanced cross-agency partnerships
- Improved treatment access for children and young people
- School-based harm reduction programs
- Creation of multidisciplinary hub models
- Improved alcohol and other drug education in schools and the community
Health and Support Services
- Legislative reform for personal drug use
- Introduction of drug checking services
- Expansion of supervised injecting facilities by removing the legislative restriction to one facility in NSW
- Increased funding for prevention, treatment and post-treatment support services
- Integration of AOD services with broader health services
Cultural Safety Concerns
The Equity and Inclusion working group highlighted significant gaps in representation:
- Need for a dedicated First Nations AOD Strategy
- Lack of trans and culturally diverse representation
- Call for meaningful community consultation
Government Response
The NSW Government announced on December 19th that it will implement a $1 million, 12-month pill testing trial at music festivals starting in early 2025. This service will:
- Be staffed by qualified health professionals
- Provide anonymous and free testing
- Allow festival-goers to check substances for purity and potency
This announcement follows interim advice from the Drug Summit chairs, with Health Minister Ryan Park emphasizing that while “there are no silver bullets,” the government is committed to following expert advice to keep young people safe.
This update, along with the previously announced regional funding packages, demonstrates concrete outcomes emerging from the Summit:
- $9.8 million for Griffith and South West NSW
- $21 million for Northern NSW alcohol and drug services
