The NSW Government has released its response to the 2024 Drug Summit Report and the 56 recommendations aimed at improving health and wellbeing outcomes for people and communities impacted by drugs. Of these, 36 are supported, 15 supported in principle, 2 noted, 2 for further consideration, and 1 not supported.

Mental Health Coordinating Council welcomes the NSW Government’s recognition in Recommendation 1.6 of “the importance of ensuring both mental health and alcohol and other drug support for people with co-occurring conditions. Alcohol and other drug use, mental health and trauma are often interrelated issues, requiring comprehensive ‘no wrong door’ responses”. We would like to see this reflected through meaningful investment in a model that supports this response.

We welcome the Government’s commitment to reforming alcohol and other drug (AOD) policy and strengthening whole-of-community approaches. However, several major announcements reaffirm measures previously announced in 2024, such as the 6.6 billion for social housing which we welcome. The response otherwise offers limited focus on integrating AOD and mental health supports, an area critical to addressing the complex, overlapping needs of many people requiring wrap around services in the community.

Equally, there is little recognition of the importance of coexisting physical health needs, which are essential to delivering holistic, person-centred care. This remains a missed opportunity to support genuine system integration and improve outcomes for people living with complex challenges.

Key recommendations of particular relevance to the community-managed mental health sector

Supported

1.3 Engage with culturally diverse communities and their leaders to better understand how to use evidence-based treatments to reduce drug-related harms in their communities and enhance community awareness and acceptability of drug use as a
health issue.
1.4 Ensure specific and inclusive program delivery and service access to meet the unique needs of diverse communities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+), culturally and linguistically diverse and Aboriginal communities.
2.2 Provide 5-year contracts for NGO service providers that include cost escalation and support for service evaluation and aligned contract conditions to improve service sustainability and workforce retention.
3.2 Provide safer and more affordable housing through increased investment in public and social housing, including support for transitional housing, prioritising Housing First models.
3.4 Ensure greater access to learning and development opportunities across AOD, child protection, mental health and domestic and family violence sectors to increase understanding and awareness of child and family needs in the context of parental drug use.
4.1 Ensure all health professionals receive AOD education and training that includes trauma-informed care and addresses stigma and discrimination.
6.3 Implement harm-reduction education, community engagement and resilience-building programs.
6.4 Increase the availability of supported accommodation and transitional housing for young people.
7.2 Expand access to culturally safe services for Aboriginal communities by supporting holistic and culturally grounded Aboriginal led approaches, particularly in mainstream services.
8.3 Expand the peer workforce across the spectrum of alcohol and other drugs services, including the Aboriginal peer workforce.
8.5 Provide appropriate supervision and supports to strengthen frontline alcohol and other drugs staff capability and wellbeing.

Supported in principle

6.2 Enhance access to treatment and support for children and young people, particularly those with complex needs, using flexible approaches and access points (e.g. “no wrong door” approach and co-located services).

Mental Health Coordinating Council continues to advocate for coordinated, multidisciplinary approaches that address the social determinants of health and bring together mental health, AOD, and physical health supports. These reforms are essential to ensuring the health system responds effectively and equitably to the needs of people experiencing coexisting challenges.