Calls for a drug rehabilitation facility to be established in Western NSW have been backed by a magistrate who has spent the past five years in charge of country courts.
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Magistrate Claire Girotto has been the main magistrate presiding at courts in Walgett, Narromine, Lightning Ridge and Wellington since 2014.
"When I started here ice, was not as prevalent in Walgett as it is now," the magistrate told Australian Community Media in a farewell interview as she prepared to leave the bush.
"I think the need's always been here [for a drug rehabilitation facility].
"For as long as it's not here, the need will be greater. There are many more people wanting rehab than there are beds available.
"I just don't know what the problem is, it's not rocket science to do it and at the end of the day the community won't be broken into as much. It should be more altruistic than that... people who are drug addicts are damaged people, it's a health issue and becomes a criminal issue because they have to fund their habit."
Magistrate Girotto predicted a rehabilitation facility would save society money in the long term.
"I sense that the money you use to do it will be money saved in the future and it will be more money saved than what you've spent," she said.
Magistrate Girotto also supported the work of three specialist drug courts which operate in Sydney and Newcastle.
She said evidence showed the drug courts reduced rates of reoffending.
The findings of a 12-month ice inquiry will be handed to the government at the end of January
