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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 4 Hansard (22 April) . . Page.. 1155 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

but merely one of many. In an effort to encourage similar discourse in the ACT, I acknowledge that Ms Tucker brought to Mr Moore's attention a series of drug forums in Melbourne. These forums encouraged informed discussion and sharing of best practice responses concerning drug issues. In response to this information, Mr Moore did organise a forum on safe injecting places and, following the forum, the injecting place proposal was finally placed in context with the release of this strategy.

Included in the strategy is the commitment to the provision of a range of treatment and harm reduction options, including methadone treatment. During Mr Moore's absence recently, the Chief Minister allocated an additional $50,000 to fund an extra 50 places on the methadone program. Mrs Carnell's additional allocation is commendable. However, the funding did little to address the growing waiting list. I understand that there are still between 60 and 70 clients on the list, which is currently, I am told, around four weeks long. This is an excessive delay and it means that clients who cannot go onto the program are forced to go back to using illicit drugs and whatever practices they employ to fund their habit.

There are several problems with that program that do require attention. Firstly, as I just indicated, there are more clients than places. To rectify this, additional funding is required. Secondly, according to those in the industry, the current mechanism for assessing who is eligible for methadone treatment does not work effectively. It would seem that this does need to be examined and improved.

I note that the strategy mentions consideration of complementary private clinics. I would remind Mr Moore, and I am sure he needs no reminding, that he ruled out privatisation and increased methadone charges earlier this year.

The drug strategy refers to the difficulties involved in providing services for people with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and problematic substance use. The Minister reports that he anticipated a consultants' report addressing the problem to be presented last month, with recommendations on a changed management process and mechanisms for the inclusion of consumers and carers in service planning and delivery. The Labor Party looks forward to commenting on this report.

One of the more crucial areas of development within the strategy is the proposed policy for dealing with prisoners with substance abuse problems. The strategy outlines support for harm minimisation strategies, drug and alcohol counselling and information. The ACT - we are all aware of this and we should not forget it - has a unique opportunity to create a prison which incorporates world best practices in every aspect of its planning and design. Drug aspects should not be any exception, and I welcome Mr Moore's commitment to recognising the special needs of prisoners. However, and I do not want to labour the point, given the Liberal Party's propensity to divide on drug issues, it remains to be seen whether other Ministers will be as keen to adhere to the principles of harm minimisation.

Additionally, the strategy refers to the above approaches being considered by the ACT Corrections Health Board in relation to current detainees in the Belconnen Remand Centre and Quamby. The Labor Party believes there is no reason to wait for the ACT

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