Health Minister Brad Hazzard outlined the government’s position in an official response to specific recommendations of the Health and Community Services committee report.

“The NSW Government will consider expansion of the Drug Court to regional areas, including Dubbo,” the official response said.

ALSO READ $30 million for a new carpark at Dubbo hospital

“Any expansion of the Drug Court would require a commensurate increase in treatment services.”

National Party candidate for Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said he would fight hard to make sure a drug court happens in Dubbo.

“I think it’s great news that the Nationals and Liberals in Government have provided that in principle support for the pilot of a drug court in Dubbo, along with support to determine exactly what drug and alcohol rehabilitation services and how many beds are required throughout the region,” he said.

“It’s something the community has taken a lot of interest in over recent times, and something if elected I’ll be fighting hard to make sure happens.”

ALSO READ Development applications for houses, units are on the rise | Graph

Labor’s Stephen Lawrence said the government response was disappointing.

“Troy Grant in March 2015 told NITV that plans for a rehab centre were close to being finalised, this government has been in power for eight years and we still have no firm commitment to a drug court,” he said.

“In principle support does not cut it, this is not the first time they have indicated in principle support, but people want real action on measures to drive down crime rates.”

ALSO READ Dubbo's median house price is at a record-breaking high

Shooters Fishers and Farmers candidate Lara Quealy said whilst in principle support for a drug court is a good start she would “like to see some actual funding” for the project.

Independent candidate for Dubbo Mathew Dickerson said he supports any increase in services and infrastructure in regional NSW.

“Residents in this electorate have to travel to Sydney far too often for a range of services including medical and a range of specialist services or to access specialist equipment,” he said.

“As I have travelled the electorate, it has been blatantly clear that crime is a major issue for many residents. The majority of citizens are law-abiding citizens who want to feel safe and secure in our electorate.

“There is also no doubt that drugs are a major scourge on our society and the negative impacts of drug use are evident throughout the electorate.

“If it can be clearly demonstrated that a Drug Court and associated services in Dubbo will reduce the number of drug-related offences and reduce recidivism, piloting a Drug Court alongside appropriate services in Dubbo has my full commitment.”

Greens candidate Rod Pryor said he was cynical about the timing of the in principle support.

“This comes two months out from the state election, Dubbo was promised a drug court by the current member in 2015 and I wholly support the idea, combined of course with residential rehab facilities it can only be a win for any community with a drug problem,” he said. “The Greens have always promoted education over incarceration; society spends enormous sums of money incarcerating people for drug offences with on flowing social cost, we would get better outcomes directing that money to a range of social programs.”