By Laura Woodrow
The Medical Republic
‘My chief concern is that we will see a repeat of the NSW Ice Inquiry, where a report is drafted, handed down, but reform does not eventuate,’ says Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies CEO.
Advocates are looking for evidence of concrete policy change, real improvements and transparency over “long overdue” drug and alcohol policy reform.
Tomorrow the NSW Drug Summit resumes in Sydney.
The last summit, held 25 years ago, was the birthplace of the first medically supervised injecting clinic in King’s Cross.
The preamble to the Summit has seen concerns raised over “talkfests” with little concrete outcomes, despite desperate need.
Speaking on the Summit, Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies CEO Dr Robert Stirling said the government did not have time to wait for the Summit report to enact change.
“My chief concern is that we will see a repeat of the NSW Ice Inquiry, where a report is drafted, handed down, but reform does not eventuate,” Dr Stirling said.
“I am calling on the Premier and his government to show courage and announce a commitment to act at the end of the Summit which puts us on a path towards meaningful reform.
“This cannot be a talkfest filled with platitudes for change. It must lead to real improvements.”
Read the full story.
