The NSW government says it won't rush its response to a special commission of inquiry into the drug ice, but a prominent non-profit organisation has called for a stronger diversion model to keep young people out of court.
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The NSW Cabinet is discussing the issue on Monday, having been split on earlier proposals to decriminalise drug possession and give offenders three penalty infringement notices before they face criminal penalties.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian was among those to reject drug decriminalisation.
But drug reform advocates have urged the state government to keep an open mind on decriminalisation and its viability as a crime-reducing policy.
The Ted Noffs Foundation said in a statement on Monday that NSW needed a police-led diversion and early intervention program which steered drug users to support services, rather than into the criminal justice system.
It also called for a boost to rehabilitation and drug treatment services.
"Police want to help people with drug problems but they need better support to provide other options than prison and punishment," the organisation said.
"A solution-based approach that works with health, rehabilitation and social services will help police to divert drug users to the appropriate support."
The NSW government in February rejected five of the ice inquiry's 109 recommendations including more injecting centres, syringe programs in jails, substance testing and a reduction in the use of drug detection dogs.
The inquiry found some $7.3 billion in ice is consumed in Australia annually.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, meanwhile, said on Monday that the government wouldn't be rushed on drug policy changes.
That means drug reform deliberations in NSW will push into next year.
"We know drugs is a significant issue, particularly in regional communities, and we want to make sure we respond in the best possible way ... you don't rush sensitive decisions," Mr Perrottet told reporters.
"Something like this, on a policy level, is particularly challenging. There are significant issues right across the board and the ice inquiry was extensive."
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller this month said he supported proposals to divert juvenile drug offenders to rehabilitation programs but didn't want to see the consumption of drugs legitimised.
Since last month NSW Police got new powers to stop and search convicted drug dealers' cars or drop by their homes without a warrant after a bill extending police powers passed state parliament. The boosted powers form part of a two-year pilot of a Drug Supply Prohibition Order scheme.
Australian Associated Press
