THE upcoming NSW Drug Summit is seen as an opportunity to update drug policies to improve health and wellbeing outcomes, according to the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA).
Chief Executive Dr Robert Stirling emphasised the need for clear policy direction and adequate funding for community drug and alcohol services around the country.
"It's time for NSW to move on from punitive approaches to drug policy and focus on removing barriers to treatment and ensuring support services are adequately funded," commented Stirling.
He highlighted the importance of addressing stigma and discrimination, which hinder access to drug treatment services, particularly in regional areas with acute workforce shortages.
Stirling called for evidence-based approaches and emphasised that drug use should be treated primarily as a health issue to improve lives and community wellbeing.
The summit will take place over two days in regional NSW in Oct and in Sydney on 04-05 Dec this year, along with pre-summit consultations.
Earlier this year, NADA released a Position Paper on the upcoming Drug Summit.
To read the NADA paper and learn more about the issues around drug and alcohol services, CLICK HERE.
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