People at risk of harm from alcohol and other drug use across NSW will have increased access to support and treatment, with a $224 million funding boost from the NSW Government to enhance health services over four years, including $78 million in Greater Sydney

$78 million for alcohol and drug services in Greater Sydney

The $78 million will be allocated to Local Health Districts, specialty health networks and a non-government organisation across the Sydney metropolitan area, targeted to meet the unique needs of priority population groups including Aboriginal people, pregnant women, people with mental health conditions, young people and people involved in the criminal justice system.

Some of the significant investments in this funding package include: 

• $5.6 million over four years for the establishment of a Lifespan Clinic in Nepean Blue Mountains. The service will offer a suite of clinics dedicated to better diagnosis and treatment including support for pregnant women, developmental and early childhood support, a neurodiversity clinic and a focus on ageing related cognitive impairment.
•  $2.7 million over four years for the creation of an integrated Aboriginal health team in South Western Sydney. This team will work in partnership with local Aboriginal community-controlled services to provide holistic and collaborative care. 
• $2.1 million over four years to enhance youth drug and alcohol treatment and support in Sydney Local Health District. This will specifically help people with co-occurring needs such as involvement in Youth Justice, mental health conditions ​and other health and social issues.
• $6.3 million over four years for the establishment of an Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health Care Navigation team in South Western Sydney. The new approach will include more assertive follow up and care navigation, with a focus on the most complex, vulnerable consumers.
•  $10 million over four years to establish inpatient withdrawal management services in Western Sydney.
•  $8.5 million over four years for a new Triage, Rapid Assessment and Collaborative Care model (TRACC) at St Vincent’s Hospital (SVHN). This service aims to meet the needs of complex vulnerable populations accessing SVHN and the wider community.
•  $6.4 million over four years for the expansion of the Care and Intervention for Children and Adolescents affected by Drugs and Alcohol (CICADA) service at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Westmead and Randwick. The CICADA service is a multi-disciplinary, early intervention drug and alcohol service for 11–17-year-olds with moderate to severe substance use.
•  $4.5 million for the expansion of access to treatment and support for participants of the Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) program. This includes increased access to withdrawal management and residential rehabilitation services provided by non-government organisations.  
•  $2.1 million over four years for the Pathways Home program, delivered by the Community Restorative Centre (CRC). The program will deliver counselling to young people aged 12-17 years and young adults aged 18-24 who are involved with the criminal justice system and who need help around their alcohol and other drug use.

The additional $29.8 million will also go towards expanding critical programs such as the Substance Use in Pregnancy and Parenting Services; the Assertive Community Management program; comorbidity services and the provision of specialist support in hospitals. Importantly, the investment will provide a significant boost to the alcohol and other drug workforce, including key clinical roles and growing the Aboriginal and lived experience workforces.  

 $157 million for alcohol and drug services in regional NSW

 A further $157 million will be allocated to both government as well as non-government services in regional NSW, including the Central Coast, Far West NSW, Hunter New England, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, Mid North Coast, Southern and Western NSW.

 This is in addition to the $9.84 million already announced for support services in the Murrumbidgee and $21 million for Northern NSW – bringing the total rollout of funding to drug and alochol services across regional parts of the state to over $265 million.

 The announcement comes as the NSW Government’s Drug Summit gets underway in Sydney, held across two days on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December. This follows the regional Drug Summit forums held in Griffith and Lismore in November, which brought together health experts, police, people with lived and living experiences, drug user organisations, families and other stakeholders to provide a range of perspectives.

 Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

 “I am proud to announce this significant investment by the NSW Government, as the Drug Summit gets underway in Sydney, which is providing a forum to have important conversations about dealing with alcohol and drug related harms.

“This investment will both enhance and establish new drug and alcohol services to boost access to much needed support and treatment for the people of Greater Sydney.

“The programs we are investing in will ensure that people with complex needs receive wrap-around support and care to help people recover and rebuild their lives in the community.”​