The NSW Government is committing $21 million over four years to enhance alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment and support for people in Northern NSW, as the second day of the regional Drug Summit begins in Lismore. 

This includes $6.8 million for three new programs to be provided by not-for-profit AOD services and mental health organisation The Buttery, including:

• $2.6 million for a new day rehabilitation program and counselling for people with dependent children;
• $2 million over four years for community-based withdrawal management and counselling for priority population groups; and
• $2.2 million over four years for a new post-custodial support service.

Community Rehabilitation

The Community Rehabilitation for Parents program will provide day rehabilitation with individual care coordination, counselling, and psychosocial support for up to six months for people aged over 18 with a substance use disorder and dependent children. 

The program is expected to support up to 48 people each year.

Withdrawal management and counselling

People will be offered withdrawal management in partnership with local GPs, assertive case management and AOD psychosocial counselling for up to six months.

Face-to-face and virtual care will be available. Up to 360 people will be able to receive treatment each year across Northern NSW and the Mid-North Coast.

Post-custodial support

Case management and support will be offered to people in Northern NSW and the Mid-North Coast up to three months prior to release from custody and up to 12 months post-release.

Northern NSW Local Health District services

As part of this announcement, Northern NSW Local Health District will receive funding to support the following services:

• $1.5 million to establish Substance Use in Pregnancy and Parenting Services across multiple locations including Tweed Byron Ballina, Richmond and Grafton. A virtual care component will support mothers and parents in rural locations to enable increased engagement with AOD services.
• $700,000 to expand alcohol and other drug hospital consultation services in Lismore, Tweed, Clarence and Byron/Ballina to better support acute services, provide extended hours of coverage, and virtual care. 
• $1.6 million for expansion and integration of AOD services for young people, including enhance partnerships with other agencies including Department of Communities and Justice, Headspace, Youth Justice and HARP. The service will be available in 3 locations and includes virtual care.

Drug Summit in Lismore

The 2024 Drug Summit is underway in NSW with the second regional forum taking place in Lismore today, following the first day of the Summit in Griffith last Friday.

The Summit will also be held in Sydney on 4 and 5 December, bringing together health experts, police, people with lived and living experiences, drug user organisations, families and other stakeholders to provide a range of perspectives.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said, “I am so proud to be able to announce this important investment into life-changing services for the people of Northern NSW on the second day of the regional Drug Summit in Lismore.

“It’s vital that we continue to support community organisations like The Buttery to help people achieve recovery and rebuild their lives.

“This funding will focus on increasing access to evidence-based treatment, prevention, and early intervention services, especially in regional and rural areas.

“These new programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of people living in regional areas and priority population groups, including Aboriginal people, pregnant women, people with mental health conditions, young people, and people involved in the criminal justice system.”

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “The Northern NSW community will benefit from this major funding boost, which will significantly improve health and social outcomes for people at risk of alcohol and other drug-related harm and their families.

“I look forward to listening and reflecting on the experience and expertise of everyone contributing to the second day of the regional Drug Summit in Lismore so we can better understand how to support our community.”