Almost five years have passed since I presented my report from the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug “Ice”. The evidence I heard during the inquiry was confronting and compelling, revealing that our illicit drug laws and policies were not working and that they fell well short of what the citizens of NSW are entitled to expect.

I found that the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector was grossly underfunded, resulting in unacceptable difficulties in accessing treatment for people in need, and an under-strength workforce suffering from exhaustion. Our harm-reduction strategies were inadequate. My report made a raft of recommendations that offered a comprehensive blueprint for reform.

Posters for Brisbane’s first permanent pill-testing site, CheQpoint, in Fortitude Valley. Credit: Courtney Kruk

After an extraordinary delay of more than 2½ years, the then Coalition state government made a welcome infusion of funding........

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