Ms. Beard questions the adequacy of $377 million invested since 2017 to address methamphetamine issues in WA, given high usage rates in regional areas. The Premier defends the investment and highlights ongoing efforts to provide services, particularly in regional areas.

AnsweredQoN 189Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 March 2024
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

METHAMPHETAMINE — TREATMENT
189. Ms M. BEARD to the Premier:
I refer to calls for more investment
in rehabilitation after another national wastewater drug monitoring report
found that people in regional WA are the most prolific users of methamphetamine
nationally. Does the Premier believe that an investment of $377 million since
2017, including funding for treatment beds and community alcohol and drug
services, is adequate to address the meth issues in Western Australia?

AnswerView source ↗

Obviously, we always seek to assist
those who are at risk of entering habitual drug–based lifestyles and
assisting those who need assistance with their recovery. That is important
right across the state, which is of course the reason that we have invested so
heavily right across regional Western Australia and in the city for services
that support people looking to get out of
the insidious grip of drug addiction. It does not matter what drug it is,
whether it is alcohol addiction or any illicit drug, we need to make
sure that we continue to invest, and we do. We make sure that we get those
services on the ground. It is not always easy, particularly in regional areas,
where it is harder to engage organisations to make sure that we provide those
opportunities, but we are up to that task and we continue to make the
investments.

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