Dubbo Regional Council’s push for rehabilitation facilities and a drug court in the city has intensified after an Upper House Parliamentary Committee heard recommendations this week.
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The social justice platform has been pushed heavily by the new council, and Councillor Stephen Lawrence provided evidence to the inquiry on the provision of drug rehabilitation services on Wednesday.
He said an increasing prevalence of drug, alcohol and mental health problems made the provision of services all the more important.
“Dubbo has unacceptably high crime rates, at two to three times the state average,” Cr Lawrence said.
“One of the things council has recognised is the link between the operation of the criminal justice system and the entrenchment of social disadvantage.
“Drug use is leading young people into trouble with the law, trouble with the law is entrenching their problems and their drug use. It is a vicious cycle causing inter-generational issues.
“Council’s social justice and crime prevention working party is considering operational models and innovative ways of enabling a residential drug rehabilitation centre to be established in the Dubbo LGA.
“Without accessible residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation services the benefits of a Drug Court can never be realised for the Dubbo LGA and Western NSW,” he said.
The Committee is expected to deliver its report and recommendations later in the year, and the Government will then be given an opportunity to respond to the findings of the Committee.
