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RACGP welcomes Drug Summit response
While there is ‘a long way to go’, the college welcomed NSW Government support of prevention, intervention and workforce reforms.
In December, the NSW Drug Summit brought together more than 700 participants over four days, as well as 3669 written submissions.
The RACGP has welcomed a New South Wales Government announcement of support for dozens of recommendations from last year’s Drug Summit, but says there is ‘still a long way to go’.
In December, the NSW Drug Summit brought together more than 700 participants over four days and received 3669 written submissions, with a goal of improving the health and wellbeing of communities and people impacted by alcohol and other drugs.
Following the summit, a report of its findings detailed 56 recommendations to reduce harm, including prevention, early intervention, eliminating stigma, community support, and workforce capability and capacity.
Last week, the State Government confirmed its support or in-principal support for 50 of those recommendations, including:
- the release of a 10-year whole-of-government alcohol and other drugs strategy
- significantly increased funding for alcohol and other drugs services to address unmet need and client complexity
- enhanced funding for prevention and early intervention programs, prioritising first 2000 days of a child’s life
- developing community education campaigns to address stigma and discrimination
- expanding the delivery and accessibility of evidence-based harm reduction strategies including needle and syringe programs.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the whole-of-government response outlines opportunities for reform, as well as 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,’ he said.
However, the State Government did not support a recommendation to end the use of drug detection dogs and strip searching for suspected drug possession during the current trial of drug checking services at music festivals.
It also said it needs to further consider a recommendation to legislate a medical defence for people using medically prescribed cannabis who drive vehicles.
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman described the reforms as ‘sensible’, saying they will save lives.
‘We’re achieving progress, no patient experiencing alcohol and other drug issues should be left behind … but there’s still a long way to go,’ she said.
‘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.’
RACGP addiction medicine spokesperson Dr Marguerite Tracy added that the college will work with the NSW Government to achieve ‘real and lasting change’.
‘Having a health-first approach with harm reduction measures at the core of assisting people with alcohol and other drug use will save lives,’ she said.
‘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.
‘GPs and practice teams must be central to achieving these reforms, and this includes better supporting preventive care and early intervention.’
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