The NSW Government has released its response to the recommendations from a state drug summit last year.
Of the 56 recommendations, the Government announced full or in-principle support for 51.
It said it would not support halting the use of drug dogs or strip searches during a year-long pill-testing trial at music festivals, which began earlier this year.
Here’s what to know.
Background
In 2024, the NSW Government announced a Drug Summit, the first of its kind in the state since 1999.
The event was held across four days in Sydney, Lismore, and Griffith.
During the summit, more than 700 community leaders, service providers, and members of Parliament discussed the impact of drugs in NSW.
A five-week online consultation process was also open to the public, which received more than 3,600 submissions.
Summit report
In April, Summit co-chairs Carmel Tebbutt and John Brodgen (both former NSW MPs) released their findings.
The report recommendations included more harm reduction in the regions, and training police officers to use naloxone, a drug that temporarily reverses opioid overdose.
A 12-month pill-testing trial was recommended, along with stopping drug dogs and strip searches during this time.
The Government had six months to respond. It has already begun the trial.
Govt response
The State Government supported increasing eligibility for the Early Drug Diversion Initiative (EDDI), which Attorney General Michael Daley said eases “pressure on our court system”.
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EDDI is a diversion program which allows police to fine people caught with small quantities of drugs instead of launching a court case.
Recommendations to increase investment into alcohol and drug services, workforce and education were also supported.
The Government did not support ending the use of drug detection dogs and strip searches during its 12-month drug-checking trial at music festivals.
It noted a recommendation to lift the restriction on supervised injecting centres in NSW, currently limited to one site in Sydney’s Kings Cross.
The Government said it would consider a defence for drivers with a medical cannabis prescription.
It is also looking into ways to divert young people from the justice system.
Support
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) welcomed the Government’s response, committing to work together for “real and lasting change.”
In particular, it said it supported reform to EDDI and greater education and health promotion.
However, the RACGP identified a need for more supervised injecting centres.
“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 said.
Criticism
Uniting NSW.ACT, which operates the Kings Cross supervised injecting centre, said the Government has “let down the community”.
It said it was “profoundly disappoint[ed]” the Government did not support all 56 recommendations, including around cannabis driving laws.
“This response does not reflect what the community and the experts wanted,” Director of Advocacy and External Relations Emma Maiden said.
Maiden also said First Nations and regional voices “are notably absent”.
