Uniting NSW.ACT has urged politicians from across the divide to back life-saving and evidence-based drug law reform at the state's first drug summit in 25 years.
Lismore will today host the second of three critical forums across NSW, with community representatives, people with lived experience, non-government organisations, support groups, clinical experts, police and government departments among the attendees.
Emma Maiden, General Manager External Relations and Advocacy at Uniting NSW.ACT has been invited to attend all three drug summit gatherings. She said:
"This is a golden opportunity for the entire community to share what experts, people with lived experience and front line services are telling us every day: our current drug laws are failing.
"Urgent reform is needed.
"NSW is at a critical juncture on drug reform. We must not miss this once-in-a-generation chance to shift from a punitive approach to one that prioritises health and support, based on the best evidence.
"Holding the first two summits in the regional centres of Griffith and Lismore highlights the fact that we have serious treatment gaps across the state. Rural and regional communities are crying out for more support.
"Evidence-based programs and services that save lives and reduce harm should be available to everyone, whether you live in the Riverina or inner-city Sydney.
"That includes increasing access to medically supervised injecting options. We know from our 24 years of successfully running a service like this, that it saves lives.
We need to increase non-stigmatising, targeted and tailored drug education and drug checking services for people who use drugs.
"Existing laws that criminalise people found with small amounts of drugs simply don't work, in fact they have been proven to do more harm than good.
"A more compassionate, health and evidence-based approach to drug use and possession will save lives and ensure better outcomes for those experiencing drug dependency."
Uniting NSW.ACT is calling for five evidence-based reforms that will save lives:
Remove criminal penalties for personal possession and use of drugs and replace with an enhanced and effective Early Drug Diversion Initiative (EDDI) scheme
Lift the limitation on one injecting centre in NSW to allow this critical service to be accessible to people across NSW
Introduce fixed site and mobile drug education and checking services to provide drug education and health promotion
Address known gaps in treatment and practice - especially for rural and regional communities and culturally appropriate services
Introduce a whole-of-government alcohol and other drug strategy within six months
Recent polling commissioned by Uniting in key NSW seats found 66 per cent of voters support a health and welfare response to minor drug possession.
EMMA MAIDEN will be
