❓ Dr. Walker questions the Cook Labor government about their awareness and response to a report on illicit drug use in the workforce and its economic impact on WA. The government's response highlights existing investments in mental health and AOD services.
AnsweredQoN 618Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Illicit drug use—Workforce
618. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Health:
I refer the minister
to a recent major study undertaken by the National Centre for Education and Training
on Addiction that reported nearly 7% of the Australian workforce use illicit
drugs on a weekly basis, including cannabis, methamphetamine and cocaine. The
report emphasised the significant impact that impairment from such drug use has
on performance over the days following substance use, and on the basis of its
findings, I ask the following.
(1) Was the Cook Labor government aware of this
report prior to me raising it today, and are its conclusions being actively
considered?
(2) What data, if any, does the government collect
regarding the cost to WA's economic bottom line of workplace impairment across
WA, and does that data correlate with the findings of the study?
(3) If not, what can we do to better understand
these trends?
618. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Health:
I refer the minister
to a recent major study undertaken by the National Centre for Education and Training
on Addiction that reported nearly 7% of the Australian workforce use illicit
drugs on a weekly basis, including cannabis, methamphetamine and cocaine. The
report emphasised the significant impact that impairment from such drug use has
on performance over the days following substance use, and on the basis of its
findings, I ask the following.
(1) Was the Cook Labor government aware of this
report prior to me raising it today, and are its conclusions being actively
considered?
(2) What data, if any, does the government collect
regarding the cost to WA's economic bottom line of workplace impairment across
WA, and does that data correlate with the findings of the study?
(3) If not, what can we do to better understand
these trends?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by Minister for Health.
(1)–(3) The state government is
progressing the new Mental Health and Alcohol and
Other Drugs Strategy 2025–2030 , which will guide service
delivery and supports. Additionally, the state government invests more than
$162 million into alcohol and other drug services to support Western
Australians.
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by Minister for Health.
(1)–(3) The state government is
progressing the new Mental Health and Alcohol and
Other Drugs Strategy 2025–2030 , which will guide service
delivery and supports. Additionally, the state government invests more than
$162 million into alcohol and other drug services to support Western
Australians.
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