The Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA) has said the NSW Government does not need to wait for the Drug Summit report to be handed down to increase funding for alcohol and other drug (AOD) services.
NADA CEO Dr Robert Stirling said the NSW Government can act now by allocating more funding to the sector in the next Budget.
"While the Summit featured a healthy debate and interest discussion across the two days, we already know what needs to be done," Dr Stirling said.
"The priorities that were discussed today were already covered in the Ice Inquiry – we just need the Government to get on with the job. This was reiterated by Dan Howard during his presentation on Day Two of the Summit.
"We need a whole-of-government alcohol and other drug strategy, and we need to ensure the Police, social services, health services and everyone in between work together to better support people who need help.
Dr Stirling thanked the lived experience advocates who spoke at the Summit for sharing their personal stories.
"It took great courage and bravery for the lived experience advocates to stand up and tell us their story, and I want to thank them for doing so.
"Hearing their stories was a reminder of why we were brought together for the Summit, and why we need urgent action."
This week NADA released new waitlist data which revealed that more than 1,800 people were on the waitlist for treatment services every day. This number climbed to more than 2,660 when waiting for multiple service types.
Dr Stirling urged the Co-Chairs Carmel Tebbutt and John Brogden AM to expedite their report.
"Given we know what needs to be done, we hope the Co-Chair report can be completed swiftly so the Government can progress its response.
"NADA stands ready to work with the Government to ensure our sector is not left behind, and that these important reforms are not stalled."
