The regional leg of the NSW Drug Summit is happening soon in Griffith and Lismore. Guided by our Drug Summit working group, we’re pulling together a response to the NSW Government’s ‘Have Your Say’ survey. The survey’s interim responses will shape the regional discussions, while the final version will be presented in during the Sydney event.
Key themes emerging from the sector include:
- Service scarcity in rural and regional communities is a critical barrier for families needing AOD treatment and support.
- Single parents are a priority group for treatment support.
- Timely support is essential for keeping families together.
- The lack of locally based support means families often travel long distances for treatment, which can increase costs and anxiety, especially for those with young children.
- Culturally relevant and safe support is crucial, emphasising the importance of family, culture, and Country.
- Systemic issues like housing instability can contribute to relapse.
A key message continues to emerge in all discussions: the family is the client and must be viewed as a holistic unit.
Everyone in the community is invited to share their thoughts —consultation closes on 17 November 2024. You can check out the survey here.
