LOCAL solutions are needed to battle the scourge of ice in western NSW.
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That's the belief of Member for Dubbo and Deputy Premier Troy Grant who has urged non-government organisations (NGOs) to apply for funding to improve services for people struggling with drug addiction.
Mr Grant said the opening of tenders marked the start of a process to greatly enhance the capacity of the health system to deliver high-quality treatment to people using amphetamine-type stimulants, including ice.
"The impact of ice on families, friends and the whole community is devastating," he said.
"This is why the NSW government is focussed on supporting early intervention in rural and regional areas.
"We have made a commitment to spend $4 million over four years for NGO treatment services in communities like ours.
"Western NSW services will be enhanced in Dubbo and Wellington, with outreach services to surrounding areas to target the needs of local community groups by complementing services and extending reach to areas of need, including Aboriginal communities.
"The government believes in localism and appreciates that local service providers know what fits their communities the best.
"That is why we have mechanisms in place for NGOs to apply for funding.
"The key benefits of enhancing NGO services will be allowing people to receive treatment closer to home; having flexible services that can respond to local priorities and needs; and reaching people struggling with ice addiction who live outside main population hubs."
Mr Grant expected services to be different "from NGO to NGO and community to community".
"Dubbo will be a central part of treatment programs," he told the Daily Liberal.
"The city is well serviced by NGOs and there is a good footprint of capable organisations in our region.
"The government is adopting a new approach to drug treatment services and I think that is appropriate given the size of the problem we are facing.
"The government wants to get services up and running without delay. There is an urgency on our part to address the problem of ice and to support ground level efforts from area to area."
