NSW Drug Summit 2024:  A welcome opportunity for health-led reform  

This week’s Drug Summit in Sydney presents a valuable opportunity for the NSW Government to improve outcomes for people impacted by drug use in our community.

President of the Law Society of NSW Brett McGrath commends the NSW Government for gathering experts, leaders in policy making, and citizens to discuss and make real progress on the Government’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of communities and people impacted by drugs.

“The Law Society is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Drug Summit, during which we will continue to encourage the Government to approach drug misuse as a health and social issue.” Mr McGrath said.  

Mr McGrath said that the Law Society supports meaningful action by the NSW Government, including criminal law reform and investment in health and rehabilitation services. Such services are desperately needed to support improved health and safety outcomes for the community, especially for vulnerable cohorts, including children and young people. 

“Greater investment in better and different forms of place-based rehabilitation resources can have a strong and immediate impact in addressing the health and safety needs of individuals and communities. There are opportunities to improve outcomes for Indigenous people, particularly if the requirements of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap are observed in program design and delivery,” Mr McGrath said. 

“Investment in rehabilitation services, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW, coupled with criminal law reform, will contribute to improved community safety and relieve strain on the police and courts.”

Priority reforms supported by the Law Society include:

• Creation of a ‘medicinal use’ defence for ‘drug driving’ in respect of cannabis;
• Reduction of the ‘spent conviction’ period in respect of drug use and possession offences from 10 to two years, and from three years to one year in the case of a child;
• Reinstatement of the Youth Drug and Alcohol Court;
• Expansion into the Children’s Court of the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program; and
• Establishment of a state-wide clinically supervised substance testing, education and information service.

“Further research and evidence gathering can help to inform paced and appropriate reform toward a health-based approach to drug misuse.  The Government’s implementation of the Cannabis Cautioning Scheme and the Early Drug Diversion Initiative are positive steps in this direction,” Mr McGrath said.

“We welcome the Drug Summit as an opportunity for experts to develop ideas to better address drug misuse issues and create a safer community. I am honoured to be part of that process, and encourage anyone interested to read our submission to the Drug Summit here,” Mr McGrath said.

The Law Society’s Senior Vice President and incoming President for 2025 Jennifer Ball will attend the Drug Summit on Wednesday, 4 December. Mr McGrath will represent the Law Society on Thursday, 5 December.