Lyndon Community operates a variety of drug and alcohol services across central west and north west NSW, including the Lyndon House residential rehabilitation facility in Canowindra and the Lyndon Withdrawal Unit (LWU) detoxification facility in Orange.

Deputy Executive Officer Dr Julaine Allan, said while some drug and alcohol users are in need of intensive, residential rehabilitation programs, many others would be better off staying home.

"Drug and alcohol treatment services cover a whole range of different programs," Dr Allan said.

"They don't have to be residential they can be day programs, counselling, case work programs, and medication can help people with their drug addiction, like the opioid treatment program (methadone treatment program).

"Residential programs are really good for people who have lots of problems, including nowhere to live, and are needing somewhere safe, particularly if there are other drug users at the place where they live and they need to get away from that.

"But it's important for people to be closer to education and health facilities, and have access to things that town has."

There is undoubtedly a shortage of services across the Western Local Health District (LHD), according to the district's 2014 review of mental health, drug and alcohol services.

The review found the Dubbo region is serviced by a total of ten full-time equivalent (FTEs) community based drug and alcohol workers. An additional 15.9 FTE service the entire district, in community based opiate treatment programs and through the Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) program. Dr Allan said it wasn't enough.

"The rule of thumb that we go by is that 4 per cent of the population requires a drug and alcohol treatment service," she said.

"There'd be another 10 per cent on top of that who could use some advice. So about 14 per cent of whatever the Dubbo population is are need of some form of drug and alcohol support.

"It is a problem but it's not the only problem. Alcohol is still by far the drug that causes the most problems to people, individuals and communities in terms of violence and crime and health problems. But amphetamines and opioids come next in that list."

The Lyndon Community has submitted a proposal to Dubbo MP and Justice Minister Troy Grant, calling on the state government to allocate some funding for another rehabilitation service closer to Dubbo.

The state budget is due to be handed down on June 23.

"We put forward a day program, so it's like residential but without the sleep over, people go back to their own homes at night," Dr Allan said.

"But there's a strong feeling from Dubbo that a residential facility is needed as well and we're happy to support that. We would love the opportunity to set up and run that service but the sort of money we're talking about, it would be a tender process, so we'd be competing against other service providers.

"We're very hopeful that there'll be some money in the state budget at the end of the month. I'm hopeful but there's a lot of competition, and sometimes stigmatised groups such as drug users fall to the bottom of the list when it comes to giving out money.

"But obviously there is a need for services in Dubbo and the community recognises that and how important drug and alcohol services are for families and reduced crime and violence."