THE NSW government is still looking at establishing a drug court and associated services for Dubbo, but the nature of the services that will be attached to it are now unclear.
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The 2015 National Party Conference was held at weekend in the Hunter Valley, and Dubbo MP and National Party leader Troy Grant said the state's crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice, crisis was discussed in detail.
"We're looking at the establishment of a drug court which will have a number of rehabilitation services attached to it," Mr Grant said.
A number of different service types have been proposed for the region, with a residential rehabilitation facility a preferred option. Nguumambiny Indigenous Corporation CEO manager Lynn Field has long been a proponent of a residential facility, due to the vast distance addicts currently have to travel to receive assistance.
"You can't detox in a town when you can't walk down the street without seeing someone who is either off their face, coming down or going to score," Mrs Field told the Daily Liberal back in April. The Dubbo Integrated Drug, Alcohol and Mental Health Project has also made representations to council and state government for a rehabilitation facility to be established locally to Dubbo, and also invited local service organisations to submit their proposals for a facility in the region.
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But not-for-profit organisation Lyndon Community, which operates a residential rehabilitation facility in Canowindra, has submitted a proposal to the state government to operate a day program in the region, which would see addicts able to return to their own homes at night. Lyndon Community deputy executive officer Dr Julaine Allan also said case work programs, counselling and medication can all help people "deal with their drug addiction".
All of the groups have called for more and better drug and alcohol services across the board.
It comes as ice, use in NSW rose by 16 per cent in 2014.
In Dubbo, the number of arrests for amphetamine (which includes methamphetamine) use or possession almost doubled in the last 2 years, rising from 22 recorded incidents in 2013 to 37 cases in 2014. In the same period, recorded cases of amphetamine dealing or trafficking rose dramatically, from two in 2013 to 15 in 2014.
But Mr Grant has stressed the point that ice is not the only drug that would be targeted by rehabilitation services.
"The rehabilitation needs for Dubbo are broader than just ice," Mr Grant said.
Mr Grant stressed that ice wasn't the only drug that would be targeted by rehabilitation services.
"The rehabilitation needs for Dubbo are broader than just ice," Mr Grant said.
