Penington Institute statement on the NSW Government’s response to recommendations from the NSW Drug Summit.
Attributable to Penington Institute Acting CEO and Director of Research, Dr Jake Dizard:
“The NSW Government has opted not to embrace key recommendations from community members and experts designed to minimise harm and make the state safer.”
“Blocking additional supervised injecting rooms and not requiring police to carry the anti-overdose drug naloxone won’t make the community safer. Both of these measures are proven to save lives. Now, the Government’s dangerous timidity will mean more people will lose their lives.”
“In 2023, there were 1,768 unintentional drug deaths in Australia, including 537 in NSW, which far exceeds the state’s road toll. Every drug death is a tragedy and every one can be prevented. But only if we have the right policies and funding in place, and the political leadership to address this crisis. We urge the Government to rethink its position on these key proposals.”
“We also note the NSW Government’s support for mild reforms regarding criminal penalties for cannabis possession, but the response amounts to tinkering around the edges on a policy that is totally broken.
“We call on the Government to protect community health and safety by decriminalising and regulating cannabis, so people have an alternative to buying illegal and unregulated cannabis from criminals. The Government should also allow medicinal cannabis patients to drive when they are not impaired.”
“Penington will continue working with governments around Australia presenting evidence-based and common-sense proposals to meet the challenge of drug-related harm.”
Dr Dizard is available for interview via Ryan Sheales
media@penigton.org.au
0402 351 412