$21m boost for northern NSW drug and alcohol services amid regional Drug Summit in Lismore
The state government has pledged millions towards alcohol and drug services in northern NSW as a key summit – which aims to examine drug reforms in regional areas – is underway.
Regional News
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The state government has pledged $21 million towards alcohol and drug services in northern NSW as a key summit – which aims to closely examine drug reforms in regional areas – is under way.
The cash injection includes $6.8m for three new programs to be provided by not-for-profit services and well-known mental health organisation The Buttery.
It includes $2.6m for a new day rehabilitation program and counselling for parents, $2m over four years for community-based withdrawal management and counselling for priority population groups and $2.2m over the same period for a new post-custodial support service.
The parental program will provide day rehabilitation with individual care-co-ordination, counselling, and psychosocial support for up to six months for people aged over 18 with a substance use disorder and dependent children. It will support up to 48 people per year.
As part of the funding, Northern NSW Local Health District will receive a quota to boost drug and alcohol services across the Tweed and the wider Northern Rivers.
The funding boost comes as the regional Drug Summit is in its second day in Lismore. It is the first event of its kind in the region in 25 years.
The summit has brought together health experts, police, people who have battled addiction, drug user organisations, families and stakeholders.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the communities benefiting from the boost would have access to “life changing services”.
“It’s vital that we continue to support community organisations like The Buttery to help people achieve recovery and rebuild their lives,” he said.
“This funding will focus on increasing access to evidence-based treatment, prevention, and early intervention services especially in regional and rural areas.
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said the funding would “significantly improve health and social outcomes for people at risk of alcohol and other drug related harm, and their families”.
Uniting NSW/ACT’s general manager of advocacy and external relations Emma Maiden said after the summit event in Lismore on Tuesday: “Many of the issues outlined by those who attended day one of the drug summit in Griffith are being echoed by the people from Lismore and the NSW Northern Rivers region speaking on day two.”
“They have reflected on the ongoing trauma being felt right across their community and on how many have either started or returned to using drugs as a way to deal with their pain,” she said.
“A call for a health and wellbeing response to drug use, not a criminal response drew a rousing cheer from those in the room.”
Uniting is calling for better reforms in the drug use space and said they would like to see criminal penalties removed for personal possession and use of drugs. As an alternative, they want to see an early drug diversion initiative put in place.
The organisation has also spearheaded a campaign to introduce a whole-of-government alcohol and other drug strategy within a six-month time frame.
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