Uniting NSW.ACT’s General Manager of Advocacy & External Relations Emma Maiden is available for comment following the NSW Drug Summit in Sydney today:
Speaking after this morning’s session, she said:
“In this morning’s sessions, we heard some powerful stories and a strong reflection that when it comes to how we are dealing with people who use drugs in NSW, the evidence is clear, what we’re doing isn’t working.
“We agree with Professor Don Weatherburn when he said, ‘there’s no evidence that prosecuting people for their drug use makes them less likely to use drugs, in fact it causes harm to them, their families and their communities’.
“While we welcomed the Premier calling out stigma and telling us that the ‘99 Summit worked because everyone came in good faith and with a commitment to do things better. This afternoon, it was concerning to see Co-Chairs, John Brogden and Carmel Tebbutt, stand alongside Minister Ryan Park outside the summit room ruling things out and announcing pre-judged outcomes.
Uniting, on behalf of our 70 partner organisations, invites the Minister to come back into the room and listen - like the premier promised - and for himself and the government to remain open to undertake the journey Premier Bob Carr undertook in 1999.
“Earlier today Dr Annie Madden (a key alumni of the 99 drug summit) sought the Premier’s assurance that NOTHING should be off the table and to please honour and seize this moment to implement change that will save lives.
We hope the Premier is not closing the door to real and meaningful reform – we need to walk through the door together.
Editor’s notes:
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Emma also attended the recent regional drug summits held in Lismore and Griffith.
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High-res video of a press conference held yesterday, including comment from Emma, Dr Marianne Jauncey (MSIC Medical Director) and someone with lived experience available for media use here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AD3UeYq1ofricOc4P3rdDXyN9MOw0Ojz?usp=sharing
Media contacts:
Bronwen Reed (Uniting NSW.ACT) 0481 056 781 or Jane Garcia (Uniting NSW.ACT) 0432 750 661
Background:
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National research shows 93% of Australians support a non-criminal response for personal cannabis use, 74% support a non-criminal response for heroin and 72% support a non-criminal response to methamphetamine use. [i]
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Recent polling conducted by uComms for Uniting NSW. ACT found more than 70 per cent of community members polled in Premier Chris Minns’ own electorate of Kogarah supported a health and wellbeing response rather than criminal responses to personal drug possession. [ii]
[i] Australia’s Health 2024: In Brief. Australia’s health 2024: in brief, Summary - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
[ii] Two out of three NSW residents support health responses to drug use - Fair Treatment
