❓ WA Government outlines its multi-faceted approach to address the expected increase in methylamphetamine availability, focusing on prevention, treatment, and professional development, but has not established a specific across-agency task force.
AnsweredQoN 1327Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
METHYLAMPHETAMINES, AVAILABILITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
(1) What steps is the Government taking to address the expected surge in availability of methylamphetamines in Western Australia? (2) Has the Government established an across-agency task force to deal with this impending crisis? (3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
(1) What steps is the Government taking to address the expected surge in availability of methylamphetamines in Western Australia? (2) Has the Government established an across-agency task force to deal with this impending crisis? (3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Government’s response includes prevention initiatives, broadening of existing services, funding new services and the development of professional expertise in response to amphetamine use. Current prevention branch strategies addressing amphetamine use in Western Australia include the psychostimulants campaign, the youth drug driving education project, the “Drug Aware” web site, the night venues project, the youth illicit drug education project and referral to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service. A 24-hour statewide counselling and information service is provided for drugs users, families and others. A substantial proportion of this service focuses on amphetamine use. Recently, training has been provided in metropolitan and country areas in collaboration with the Western Australian network of alcohol and drug agencies and the Mental Health Services, ensuring various professionals such as general practitioners, drug specialists and mainstream health workers are better equipped to respond to amphetamine use. Specialist clinical services, such as Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for example, provide a range of in-patient and outpatient services to amphetamine users. Part of the Government’s response to the Community Drug Summit is to provide a withdrawal management and respite centre for young people. This centre, which will be operational by August, will provide round-the-clock medical care for young people in need of supervised withdrawal and respite services. A key feature will be a focus on amphetamine use. General practitioners have been provided with particular information about amphetamines via the newsletter “Drink, Drugs and Doctors”. Specific amphetamine-focused practice development initiatives have been implemented. The capacity and expertise of GPs in managing drug-related problems, including amphetamines, will be further enhanced as a response to the Community Drug Summit. The expertise of in-patient and outpatient withdrawal services dealing with amphetamine withdrawal has been enhanced. The opiate overdose prevention strategy program has been broadened to include managing amphetamine overdose. There has been an initial trial with one teaching hospital. Amphetamines will now be included in the whole program. The Mental Health Services, through the joint services development unit, provide clinical services, consultancy and support to ensure that mental health problems related to methylamphetamines are addressed. (2) No specific across-agency task force has been established. Mechanisms are already in place to respond to changing patterns of drug use, and these mechanisms have resulted in responses to meet the new challenge caused by methylamphetamines. It is important to note that amphetamine use has increased steadily over the past 10 to 15 years and the Government has been aware of the emergence of methylamphetamine use across Australia over the past two to three years. As a result, the Government has implemented a number of new prevention initiatives, broadened existing treatment services, funded new services and ensured the development of professional expertise. (3) See parts (1) and (2).
(2) Has the Government established an across-agency task force to deal with this impending crisis? (3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Government’s response includes prevention initiatives, broadening of existing services, funding new services and the development of professional expertise in response to amphetamine use. Current prevention branch strategies addressing amphetamine use in Western Australia include the psychostimulants campaign, the youth drug driving education project, the “Drug Aware” web site, the night venues project, the youth illicit drug education project and referral to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service. A 24-hour statewide counselling and information service is provided for drugs users, families and others. A substantial proportion of this service focuses on amphetamine use. Recently, training has been provided in metropolitan and country areas in collaboration with the Western Australian network of alcohol and drug agencies and the Mental Health Services, ensuring various professionals such as general practitioners, drug specialists and mainstream health workers are better equipped to respond to amphetamine use. Specialist clinical services, such as Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for example, provide a range of in-patient and outpatient services to amphetamine users. Part of the Government’s response to the Community Drug Summit is to provide a withdrawal management and respite centre for young people. This centre, which will be operational by August, will provide round-the-clock medical care for young people in need of supervised withdrawal and respite services. A key feature will be a focus on amphetamine use. General practitioners have been provided with particular information about amphetamines via the newsletter “Drink, Drugs and Doctors”. Specific amphetamine-focused practice development initiatives have been implemented. The capacity and expertise of GPs in managing drug-related problems, including amphetamines, will be further enhanced as a response to the Community Drug Summit. The expertise of in-patient and outpatient withdrawal services dealing with amphetamine withdrawal has been enhanced. The opiate overdose prevention strategy program has been broadened to include managing amphetamine overdose. There has been an initial trial with one teaching hospital. Amphetamines will now be included in the whole program. The Mental Health Services, through the joint services development unit, provide clinical services, consultancy and support to ensure that mental health problems related to methylamphetamines are addressed. (2) No specific across-agency task force has been established. Mechanisms are already in place to respond to changing patterns of drug use, and these mechanisms have resulted in responses to meet the new challenge caused by methylamphetamines. It is important to note that amphetamine use has increased steadily over the past 10 to 15 years and the Government has been aware of the emergence of methylamphetamine use across Australia over the past two to three years. As a result, the Government has implemented a number of new prevention initiatives, broadened existing treatment services, funded new services and ensured the development of professional expertise. (3) See parts (1) and (2).
(3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Government’s response includes prevention initiatives, broadening of existing services, funding new services and the development of professional expertise in response to amphetamine use. Current prevention branch strategies addressing amphetamine use in Western Australia include the psychostimulants campaign, the youth drug driving education project, the “Drug Aware” web site, the night venues project, the youth illicit drug education project and referral to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service. A 24-hour statewide counselling and information service is provided for drugs users, families and others. A substantial proportion of this service focuses on amphetamine use. Recently, training has been provided in metropolitan and country areas in collaboration with the Western Australian network of alcohol and drug agencies and the Mental Health Services, ensuring various professionals such as general practitioners, drug specialists and mainstream health workers are better equipped to respond to amphetamine use. Specialist clinical services, such as Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for example, provide a range of in-patient and outpatient services to amphetamine users. Part of the Government’s response to the Community Drug Summit is to provide a withdrawal management and respite centre for young people. This centre, which will be operational by August, will provide round-the-clock medical care for young people in need of supervised withdrawal and respite services. A key feature will be a focus on amphetamine use. General practitioners have been provided with particular information about amphetamines via the newsletter “Drink, Drugs and Doctors”. Specific amphetamine-focused practice development initiatives have been implemented. The capacity and expertise of GPs in managing drug-related problems, including amphetamines, will be further enhanced as a response to the Community Drug Summit. The expertise of in-patient and outpatient withdrawal services dealing with amphetamine withdrawal has been enhanced. The opiate overdose prevention strategy program has been broadened to include managing amphetamine overdose. There has been an initial trial with one teaching hospital. Amphetamines will now be included in the whole program. The Mental Health Services, through the joint services development unit, provide clinical services, consultancy and support to ensure that mental health problems related to methylamphetamines are addressed. (2) No specific across-agency task force has been established. Mechanisms are already in place to respond to changing patterns of drug use, and these mechanisms have resulted in responses to meet the new challenge caused by methylamphetamines. It is important to note that amphetamine use has increased steadily over the past 10 to 15 years and the Government has been aware of the emergence of methylamphetamine use across Australia over the past two to three years. As a result, the Government has implemented a number of new prevention initiatives, broadened existing treatment services, funded new services and ensured the development of professional expertise. (3) See parts (1) and (2).
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Government’s response includes prevention initiatives, broadening of existing services, funding new services and the development of professional expertise in response to amphetamine use. Current prevention branch strategies addressing amphetamine use in Western Australia include the psychostimulants campaign, the youth drug driving education project, the “Drug Aware” web site, the night venues project, the youth illicit drug education project and referral to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service. A 24-hour statewide counselling and information service is provided for drugs users, families and others. A substantial proportion of this service focuses on amphetamine use. Recently, training has been provided in metropolitan and country areas in collaboration with the Western Australian network of alcohol and drug agencies and the Mental Health Services, ensuring various professionals such as general practitioners, drug specialists and mainstream health workers are better equipped to respond to amphetamine use. Specialist clinical services, such as Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for example, provide a range of in-patient and outpatient services to amphetamine users. Part of the Government’s response to the Community Drug Summit is to provide a withdrawal management and respite centre for young people. This centre, which will be operational by August, will provide round-the-clock medical care for young people in need of supervised withdrawal and respite services. A key feature will be a focus on amphetamine use. General practitioners have been provided with particular information about amphetamines via the newsletter “Drink, Drugs and Doctors”. Specific amphetamine-focused practice development initiatives have been implemented. The capacity and expertise of GPs in managing drug-related problems, including amphetamines, will be further enhanced as a response to the Community Drug Summit. The expertise of in-patient and outpatient withdrawal services dealing with amphetamine withdrawal has been enhanced. The opiate overdose prevention strategy program has been broadened to include managing amphetamine overdose. There has been an initial trial with one teaching hospital. Amphetamines will now be included in the whole program. The Mental Health Services, through the joint services development unit, provide clinical services, consultancy and support to ensure that mental health problems related to methylamphetamines are addressed. (2) No specific across-agency task force has been established. Mechanisms are already in place to respond to changing patterns of drug use, and these mechanisms have resulted in responses to meet the new challenge caused by methylamphetamines. It is important to note that amphetamine use has increased steadily over the past 10 to 15 years and the Government has been aware of the emergence of methylamphetamine use across Australia over the past two to three years. As a result, the Government has implemented a number of new prevention initiatives, broadened existing treatment services, funded new services and ensured the development of professional expertise. (3) See parts (1) and (2).
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Government’s response includes prevention initiatives, broadening of existing services, funding new services and the development of professional expertise in response to amphetamine use. Current prevention branch strategies addressing amphetamine use in Western Australia include the psychostimulants campaign, the youth drug driving education project, the “Drug Aware” web site, the night venues project, the youth illicit drug education project and referral to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service. A 24-hour statewide counselling and information service is provided for drugs users, families and others. A substantial proportion of this service focuses on amphetamine use. Recently, training has been provided in metropolitan and country areas in collaboration with the Western Australian network of alcohol and drug agencies and the Mental Health Services, ensuring various professionals such as general practitioners, drug specialists and mainstream health workers are better equipped to respond to amphetamine use. Specialist clinical services, such as Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for example, provide a range of in-patient and outpatient services to amphetamine users. Part of the Government’s response to the Community Drug Summit is to provide a withdrawal management and respite centre for young people. This centre, which will be operational by August, will provide round-the-clock medical care for young people in need of supervised withdrawal and respite services. A key feature will be a focus on amphetamine use. General practitioners have been provided with particular information about amphetamines via the newsletter “Drink, Drugs and Doctors”. Specific amphetamine-focused practice development initiatives have been implemented. The capacity and expertise of GPs in managing drug-related problems, including amphetamines, will be further enhanced as a response to the Community Drug Summit. The expertise of in-patient and outpatient withdrawal services dealing with amphetamine withdrawal has been enhanced. The opiate overdose prevention strategy program has been broadened to include managing amphetamine overdose. There has been an initial trial with one teaching hospital. Amphetamines will now be included in the whole program. The Mental Health Services, through the joint services development unit, provide clinical services, consultancy and support to ensure that mental health problems related to methylamphetamines are addressed. (2) No specific across-agency task force has been established. Mechanisms are already in place to respond to changing patterns of drug use, and these mechanisms have resulted in responses to meet the new challenge caused by methylamphetamines. It is important to note that amphetamine use has increased steadily over the past 10 to 15 years and the Government has been aware of the emergence of methylamphetamine use across Australia over the past two to three years. As a result, the Government has implemented a number of new prevention initiatives, broadened existing treatment services, funded new services and ensured the development of professional expertise. (3) See parts (1) and (2).
(1) The Government’s response includes prevention initiatives, broadening of existing services, funding new services and the development of professional expertise in response to amphetamine use. Current prevention branch strategies addressing amphetamine use in Western Australia include the psychostimulants campaign, the youth drug driving education project, the “Drug Aware” web site, the night venues project, the youth illicit drug education project and referral to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service. A 24-hour statewide counselling and information service is provided for drugs users, families and others. A substantial proportion of this service focuses on amphetamine use. Recently, training has been provided in metropolitan and country areas in collaboration with the Western Australian network of alcohol and drug agencies and the Mental Health Services, ensuring various professionals such as general practitioners, drug specialists and mainstream health workers are better equipped to respond to amphetamine use. Specialist clinical services, such as Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for example, provide a range of in-patient and outpatient services to amphetamine users. Part of the Government’s response to the Community Drug Summit is to provide a withdrawal management and respite centre for young people. This centre, which will be operational by August, will provide round-the-clock medical care for young people in need of supervised withdrawal and respite services. A key feature will be a focus on amphetamine use. General practitioners have been provided with particular information about amphetamines via the newsletter “Drink, Drugs and Doctors”. Specific amphetamine-focused practice development initiatives have been implemented. The capacity and expertise of GPs in managing drug-related problems, including amphetamines, will be further enhanced as a response to the Community Drug Summit. The expertise of in-patient and outpatient withdrawal services dealing with amphetamine withdrawal has been enhanced. The opiate overdose prevention strategy program has been broadened to include managing amphetamine overdose. There has been an initial trial with one teaching hospital. Amphetamines will now be included in the whole program. The Mental Health Services, through the joint services development unit, provide clinical services, consultancy and support to ensure that mental health problems related to methylamphetamines are addressed. (2) No specific across-agency task force has been established. Mechanisms are already in place to respond to changing patterns of drug use, and these mechanisms have resulted in responses to meet the new challenge caused by methylamphetamines. It is important to note that amphetamine use has increased steadily over the past 10 to 15 years and the Government has been aware of the emergence of methylamphetamine use across Australia over the past two to three years. As a result, the Government has implemented a number of new prevention initiatives, broadened existing treatment services, funded new services and ensured the development of professional expertise. (3) See parts (1) and (2).
(3) See parts (1) and (2).
(2) Has the Government established an across-agency task force to deal with this impending crisis? (3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Government’s response includes prevention initiatives, broadening of existing services, funding new services and the development of professional expertise in response to amphetamine use. Current prevention branch strategies addressing amphetamine use in Western Australia include the psychostimulants campaign, the youth drug driving education project, the “Drug Aware” web site, the night venues project, the youth illicit drug education project and referral to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service. A 24-hour statewide counselling and information service is provided for drugs users, families and others. A substantial proportion of this service focuses on amphetamine use. Recently, training has been provided in metropolitan and country areas in collaboration with the Western Australian network of alcohol and drug agencies and the Mental Health Services, ensuring various professionals such as general practitioners, drug specialists and mainstream health workers are better equipped to respond to amphetamine use. Specialist clinical services, such as Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for example, provide a range of in-patient and outpatient services to amphetamine users. Part of the Government’s response to the Community Drug Summit is to provide a withdrawal management and respite centre for young people. This centre, which will be operational by August, will provide round-the-clock medical care for young people in need of supervised withdrawal and respite services. A key feature will be a focus on amphetamine use. General practitioners have been provided with particular information about amphetamines via the newsletter “Drink, Drugs and Doctors”. Specific amphetamine-focused practice development initiatives have been implemented. The capacity and expertise of GPs in managing drug-related problems, including amphetamines, will be further enhanced as a response to the Community Drug Summit. The expertise of in-patient and outpatient withdrawal services dealing with amphetamine withdrawal has been enhanced. The opiate overdose prevention strategy program has been broadened to include managing amphetamine overdose. There has been an initial trial with one teaching hospital. Amphetamines will now be included in the whole program. The Mental Health Services, through the joint services development unit, provide clinical services, consultancy and support to ensure that mental health problems related to methylamphetamines are addressed. (2) No specific across-agency task force has been established. Mechanisms are already in place to respond to changing patterns of drug use, and these mechanisms have resulted in responses to meet the new challenge caused by methylamphetamines. It is important to note that amphetamine use has increased steadily over the past 10 to 15 years and the Government has been aware of the emergence of methylamphetamine use across Australia over the past two to three years. As a result, the Government has implemented a number of new prevention initiatives, broadened existing treatment services, funded new services and ensured the development of professional expertise. (3) See parts (1) and (2).
(3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Government’s response includes prevention initiatives, broadening of existing services, funding new services and the development of professional expertise in response to amphetamine use. Current prevention branch strategies addressing amphetamine use in Western Australia include the psychostimulants campaign, the youth drug driving education project, the “Drug Aware” web site, the night venues project, the youth illicit drug education project and referral to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service. A 24-hour statewide counselling and information service is provided for drugs users, families and others. A substantial proportion of this service focuses on amphetamine use. Recently, training has been provided in metropolitan and country areas in collaboration with the Western Australian network of alcohol and drug agencies and the Mental Health Services, ensuring various professionals such as general practitioners, drug specialists and mainstream health workers are better equipped to respond to amphetamine use. Specialist clinical services, such as Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for example, provide a range of in-patient and outpatient services to amphetamine users. Part of the Government’s response to the Community Drug Summit is to provide a withdrawal management and respite centre for young people. This centre, which will be operational by August, will provide round-the-clock medical care for young people in need of supervised withdrawal and respite services. A key feature will be a focus on amphetamine use. General practitioners have been provided with particular information about amphetamines via the newsletter “Drink, Drugs and Doctors”. Specific amphetamine-focused practice development initiatives have been implemented. The capacity and expertise of GPs in managing drug-related problems, including amphetamines, will be further enhanced as a response to the Community Drug Summit. The expertise of in-patient and outpatient withdrawal services dealing with amphetamine withdrawal has been enhanced. The opiate overdose prevention strategy program has been broadened to include managing amphetamine overdose. There has been an initial trial with one teaching hospital. Amphetamines will now be included in the whole program. The Mental Health Services, through the joint services development unit, provide clinical services, consultancy and support to ensure that mental health problems related to methylamphetamines are addressed. (2) No specific across-agency task force has been established. Mechanisms are already in place to respond to changing patterns of drug use, and these mechanisms have resulted in responses to meet the new challenge caused by methylamphetamines. It is important to note that amphetamine use has increased steadily over the past 10 to 15 years and the Government has been aware of the emergence of methylamphetamine use across Australia over the past two to three years. As a result, the Government has implemented a number of new prevention initiatives, broadened existing treatment services, funded new services and ensured the development of professional expertise. (3) See parts (1) and (2).
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Government’s response includes prevention initiatives, broadening of existing services, funding new services and the development of professional expertise in response to amphetamine use. Current prevention branch strategies addressing amphetamine use in Western Australia include the psychostimulants campaign, the youth drug driving education project, the “Drug Aware” web site, the night venues project, the youth illicit drug education project and referral to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service. A 24-hour statewide counselling and information service is provided for drugs users, families and others. A substantial proportion of this service focuses on amphetamine use. Recently, training has been provided in metropolitan and country areas in collaboration with the Western Australian network of alcohol and drug agencies and the Mental Health Services, ensuring various professionals such as general practitioners, drug specialists and mainstream health workers are better equipped to respond to amphetamine use. Specialist clinical services, such as Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for example, provide a range of in-patient and outpatient services to amphetamine users. Part of the Government’s response to the Community Drug Summit is to provide a withdrawal management and respite centre for young people. This centre, which will be operational by August, will provide round-the-clock medical care for young people in need of supervised withdrawal and respite services. A key feature will be a focus on amphetamine use. General practitioners have been provided with particular information about amphetamines via the newsletter “Drink, Drugs and Doctors”. Specific amphetamine-focused practice development initiatives have been implemented. The capacity and expertise of GPs in managing drug-related problems, including amphetamines, will be further enhanced as a response to the Community Drug Summit. The expertise of in-patient and outpatient withdrawal services dealing with amphetamine withdrawal has been enhanced. The opiate overdose prevention strategy program has been broadened to include managing amphetamine overdose. There has been an initial trial with one teaching hospital. Amphetamines will now be included in the whole program. The Mental Health Services, through the joint services development unit, provide clinical services, consultancy and support to ensure that mental health problems related to methylamphetamines are addressed. (2) No specific across-agency task force has been established. Mechanisms are already in place to respond to changing patterns of drug use, and these mechanisms have resulted in responses to meet the new challenge caused by methylamphetamines. It is important to note that amphetamine use has increased steadily over the past 10 to 15 years and the Government has been aware of the emergence of methylamphetamine use across Australia over the past two to three years. As a result, the Government has implemented a number of new prevention initiatives, broadened existing treatment services, funded new services and ensured the development of professional expertise. (3) See parts (1) and (2).
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Government’s response includes prevention initiatives, broadening of existing services, funding new services and the development of professional expertise in response to amphetamine use. Current prevention branch strategies addressing amphetamine use in Western Australia include the psychostimulants campaign, the youth drug driving education project, the “Drug Aware” web site, the night venues project, the youth illicit drug education project and referral to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service. A 24-hour statewide counselling and information service is provided for drugs users, families and others. A substantial proportion of this service focuses on amphetamine use. Recently, training has been provided in metropolitan and country areas in collaboration with the Western Australian network of alcohol and drug agencies and the Mental Health Services, ensuring various professionals such as general practitioners, drug specialists and mainstream health workers are better equipped to respond to amphetamine use. Specialist clinical services, such as Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for example, provide a range of in-patient and outpatient services to amphetamine users. Part of the Government’s response to the Community Drug Summit is to provide a withdrawal management and respite centre for young people. This centre, which will be operational by August, will provide round-the-clock medical care for young people in need of supervised withdrawal and respite services. A key feature will be a focus on amphetamine use. General practitioners have been provided with particular information about amphetamines via the newsletter “Drink, Drugs and Doctors”. Specific amphetamine-focused practice development initiatives have been implemented. The capacity and expertise of GPs in managing drug-related problems, including amphetamines, will be further enhanced as a response to the Community Drug Summit. The expertise of in-patient and outpatient withdrawal services dealing with amphetamine withdrawal has been enhanced. The opiate overdose prevention strategy program has been broadened to include managing amphetamine overdose. There has been an initial trial with one teaching hospital. Amphetamines will now be included in the whole program. The Mental Health Services, through the joint services development unit, provide clinical services, consultancy and support to ensure that mental health problems related to methylamphetamines are addressed. (2) No specific across-agency task force has been established. Mechanisms are already in place to respond to changing patterns of drug use, and these mechanisms have resulted in responses to meet the new challenge caused by methylamphetamines. It is important to note that amphetamine use has increased steadily over the past 10 to 15 years and the Government has been aware of the emergence of methylamphetamine use across Australia over the past two to three years. As a result, the Government has implemented a number of new prevention initiatives, broadened existing treatment services, funded new services and ensured the development of professional expertise. (3) See parts (1) and (2).
(1) The Government’s response includes prevention initiatives, broadening of existing services, funding new services and the development of professional expertise in response to amphetamine use. Current prevention branch strategies addressing amphetamine use in Western Australia include the psychostimulants campaign, the youth drug driving education project, the “Drug Aware” web site, the night venues project, the youth illicit drug education project and referral to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service. A 24-hour statewide counselling and information service is provided for drugs users, families and others. A substantial proportion of this service focuses on amphetamine use. Recently, training has been provided in metropolitan and country areas in collaboration with the Western Australian network of alcohol and drug agencies and the Mental Health Services, ensuring various professionals such as general practitioners, drug specialists and mainstream health workers are better equipped to respond to amphetamine use. Specialist clinical services, such as Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for example, provide a range of in-patient and outpatient services to amphetamine users. Part of the Government’s response to the Community Drug Summit is to provide a withdrawal management and respite centre for young people. This centre, which will be operational by August, will provide round-the-clock medical care for young people in need of supervised withdrawal and respite services. A key feature will be a focus on amphetamine use. General practitioners have been provided with particular information about amphetamines via the newsletter “Drink, Drugs and Doctors”. Specific amphetamine-focused practice development initiatives have been implemented. The capacity and expertise of GPs in managing drug-related problems, including amphetamines, will be further enhanced as a response to the Community Drug Summit. The expertise of in-patient and outpatient withdrawal services dealing with amphetamine withdrawal has been enhanced. The opiate overdose prevention strategy program has been broadened to include managing amphetamine overdose. There has been an initial trial with one teaching hospital. Amphetamines will now be included in the whole program. The Mental Health Services, through the joint services development unit, provide clinical services, consultancy and support to ensure that mental health problems related to methylamphetamines are addressed. (2) No specific across-agency task force has been established. Mechanisms are already in place to respond to changing patterns of drug use, and these mechanisms have resulted in responses to meet the new challenge caused by methylamphetamines. It is important to note that amphetamine use has increased steadily over the past 10 to 15 years and the Government has been aware of the emergence of methylamphetamine use across Australia over the past two to three years. As a result, the Government has implemented a number of new prevention initiatives, broadened existing treatment services, funded new services and ensured the development of professional expertise. (3) See parts (1) and (2).
(3) See parts (1) and (2).
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