Media release 27th February 2026
As the Early Drug Diversion Initiative (EDDI) turns two, the people of NSW still await meaningful changes to our drug laws
With the two-year birthday of the Early Drug Diversion Initiative (EDDI) coming into effect in NSW, and 14 months on from the NSW Drug Summit, drug reform campaigners are calling for real action on drug law reform in NSW.
EDDI came into effect on the 29th February 2024 with the aim to address some of the harms caused by our unfair drug laws.
“Unfortunately, the last few years of EDDI have been a disappointing missed opportunity, many people had hoped for better for those they love who are living with drug dependency,” Alice Salomon, Uniting NSW.ACT’s Head of Advocacy said.
“Last October in its response to the NSW Drug Summit Report the NSW Government stated that ‘work to reform and to increase the use of EDDI is underway.’”
“We are looking forward to urgent improvements being made to the scheme - we really hope these are imminent.
“We had hoped however that any changes would be informed by data and by input and feedback from the AOD sector, people with lived experience and legal experts.
“That’s a concern for the sector – many of the problems with EDDI could have been avoided by effective co-design with the sector, people with lived experience and experts.
“The same applies to any re-design of EDDI.
“Personal drug use should be treated as a health and welfare issue.
“NSW urgently needs an improved version of the EDDI scheme, which would include the removal of police discretion, abolishing the strike system, lowering the fine, and removing the concurrent offences from the eligibility criteria,” Alice said.
"Everyone should be eligible to access this diversion scheme, including First Nations people, those without means, younger people and people with prior convictions.
“We await the BOCSAR evaluation of EDDI in coming weeks which will give us further hard data and should really emphasise the need for reform - and we call on the NSW Government to consult with the AOD sector and legal services on what a best practice EDDI should look like.
“The government just has to get on and get this consultation and critical reform done,” she said.
Data collated by the Drug Policy Modelling Program (DPMP) at UNSW showed a low uptake in the scheme’s use by police, with specific drugs being policed more heavily, and some demographics, such as First Nations communities, more likely to be funnelled through the criminal justice system.
“Early data showed that EDDI is more available for those who use cocaine or MDMA and those who aren’t First Nations, making EDDI a system that favours those with privilege.
“It’s clear that NSW needs evidence-based, equitable and inclusive diversion programs which will result in better outcomes for people.
“This means all people should be eligible to access them, including First Nations people, those without means, younger people and people with prior convictions.
“They should be able to be diverted away from the criminal justice system through the EDDI scheme for possessing a small amount of drugs for personal use.
“The vast majority of the community, as revealed in survey after survey, supports this approach,” Alice said.
Uniting runs the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre and has spearheaded the Fair Treatment campaign for fairer drug laws for over seven years.
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Media contact:
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Andrew Bradley |
About Uniting
Uniting NSW.ACT contributes to the work of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT, through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. We provide services for people through all ages and stages of life, and drive solutions to systemic issues so people experiencing disadvantage can live their best lives. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice. We value diversity and always welcome everyone exactly as they are.
