GPs urge NSW Government to seize opportunities on alcohol and other drug reform

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is calling on the New South Wales Government to act decisively and transform alcohol and other drug policy to save lives. 

It comes following the release of the NSW Drug Summit Report, which put forward 56 recommendations relating to prevention, early intervention, community support, stigma, workforce and reform. The Summit listened to over 400 participants as well as receiving 3,600 submissions, and RACGP NSW and ACT Chair, Dr Rebekah Hoffman, urged the NSW Government to seize the opportunity for sensible reforms that could save lives. 

“This report lays out a roadmap for reform that could transform how the state tackles alcohol and other drug use,” she said. 

“It states that effective, available and affordable treatment for people with substance use or dependence is crucial, and I couldn’t agree more. Ask almost any GP and they will tell you that many people can’t access the care and support they need.  

“The Summit heard consistent calls for drug checking services at events such as music festivals, as well as an evaluation that can inform additional models such as ‘fixed site’ services. The Government is already ahead of the ball on this one, the decision late last year to greenlight a 12-month drug testing trial was a positive step forward.  

“We’ll have to wait for the evaluation, but I strongly suspect that it will find what jurisdictions around the world have found, which is that drug testing services prevent many potential overdoses from occurring. So, we hope that this trial is just the beginning. Queensland’s drug testing service, which is unfortunately set to close its doors tomorrow, has detected a third sample of the powerful and deadly synthetic opioid nitazene, which is even stronger than fentanyl. This highlights, yet again, how vital these services can prove to be. 

“The report also notes that needle and syringe programs ‘received strong support’ and recommended expanding their reach. We back this priority action, particularly in rural, regional, and remote parts of the state where these services can be few and far between. The College also backs calls to get naloxone, a drug that temporarily reverses an opioid overdose, into the hands of those more likely to experience an overdose or witness one, including young people.” 

Dr Hoffman said that alcohol and other drug use should be seen through a health lens. 

“There is no point declaring a ‘war on drugs’. Alcohol and other drug use, including illicit drugs, impacts almost every family and social network, and I don’t know how anyone can declare a war against their own loved ones,” she said. 

“We look forward to working with the Government to transform alcohol and other drug policy, including the critical role of GPs. The Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Kings Cross was a game changer for harm reduction in Australia. A KPMG report in 2020 concluded that it had reversed nearly 11,000 overdoses without a death and provided over 20,000 referrals to treatment and services, and a 2023 report found an 80% reduction in ambulance call-outs in the local area. We support the report’s priority action removing the legislative restrictions that currently limit new centres being established, along with strong community consultation.  

“Another of the priority actions is expanding access to opioid substitute therapy, such as methadone and buprenorphine, and increasing the number of GPs and nurse practitioners who can prescribe these medications – both of which we strongly support. Ensuring GPs and practice teams are kept in the loop and consulted on any new reforms is also essential. 

“Overdose deaths and alcohol and drug-related harm don’t happen to ‘other people’, it could be your friend, partner, child, or colleague. At the end of the day – every life matters.” 

~ENDS 

RACGP spokespeople are available for interviews: 03 8699 0992 / [email protected]