The Gunnedah region’s anti-drug advocates have applauded state MP Kevin Anderson’s strong stance against decriminalisation of drugs in the community.

The praise comes as the NSW Drug Summit prepares to host a two-day forum in Sydney next week.

The government-led summit, which also hosted regional forums earlier this month, aims to bring together health experts, police, people with lived and living experiences, drug user organisations, families and other stakeholders to provide a range of perspectives and better health outcomes for people impacted by drugs.

Discussion around the summit has also included decriminalisation of drug use.

According to the Drug Policy Modelling Program – an evidence-based hub for summit – the majority of Australians would prefer non-criminal responses to drug use and possession for personal use.

The program said this is based on nationally representative survey data from 2022/2023, published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has been campaigning for more treatment spaces in the North West but took a strong stance against specific drug use.

“I certainly do not support the decriminalisation of dangerous drugs like heroin, ice and cocaine,” Mr Anderson said.

His comments were supported by vocal, anti-drugs campaigner, Judith Law, who would like to see more school-led, ‘say no to drugs’ public events held in Gunnedah.

Mrs Law recalled Gunnedah’s long history in the anti-drug movement. This included a visit in 1997 by the parents of teenager Anna Wood who died after taking the party drug, ecstasy.

Despite more than 20 years of campaigning since, Mrs Law said the fight must continue to curb drug use in our communities.

“There is perception that the war against drugs has been lost. This will only happen if we all remain silent and says it’s not our problem,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Anderson is also pursuing additional drug rehabilitation services in the region.

“I know the community is focused on better drug treatment services like detoxification and rehabilitation,” he said.

“We need to build better and more accessible drug and alcohol services for the north west.

“With the new $62 million Tamworth Mental Health Unit now well underway, the government needs to plan for the future, and that means keeping the old Banksia Mental Health Unit in public hands for the purposes of a drug and alcohol detoxification centre that will service patients from across the north west.

“The building is on site at the Tamworth hospital, co-located with other health services and I’m continuing to work with local advocates like the Drug and Alcohol Drug Treatment (DART) group to push the Labor state government for better drug and alcohol services for our region.”

In July, the NSW government announced the addition of 12 new alcohol and other drug hubs across the state – part of a $33.9 million funding package over four years. But the closest new services to Gunnedah were Singleton and Armidale.

 

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