Western Australian Methamphetamine Action Plan
In an effort to reduce methamphetamine use and related harms in Western Australia, the State Government has committed to implementing the Methamphetamine Action Plan (MAP).
The MAP outlines a comprehensive plan of actions that are aimed at reducing methamphetamine related demand, supply and harm, in recognition of the complexities associated with drug use.
Historically the rate of use of methamphetamine in Western Australia has been slightly above the national average, with the latest rates being 1.4% nationally in 2016 and 2.7% in Western Australia in the same year. The use of the drug in Western Australia has declined from 4.2% in 2007 to 2.7% in 2016.
Methamphetamine Action Plan Taskforce
The Methamphetamine Action Plan Taskforce was an across government initiative, coordinated through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC). It was established in June 2017 to provide advice to Government on:
- improving how programs can be best delivered and targeted to areas of greatest need, including regional areas
- opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to reduce methamphetamine harm, demand and supply, and
- advice on the best ways to measure the performance and success of the Government’s initiatives.
The MAP Taskforce Final Report (Taskforce Report) was released on 26 November 2018, providing 57 recommendations to government. The State Government provided an immediate response to the Taskforce Report outlining key actions that could be immediately progressed in responding to those in crisis.
Full Government Response to the MAP Taskforce Report
On 7 May 2019, the State Government’s Response to the Western Australian Methamphetamine Action Plan Taskforce Report (Full Response) was released.
With the ultimate aim of preventing and reducing the adverse impacts of methamphetamine use in the Western Australian community, the Full Response outlines a range of targeted, functional and practical initiatives that focus on prevention, early intervention, treatment and support, and law enforcement.
The Full Response includes an additional $42.5 million for initiatives to address Methamphetamine use and its harms in Western Australia, including:
- More support for individuals and families in crisis - $5.2 million to expand and develop safe places for individuals and families in crisis in the community.
- More help when and where it’s needed. - $32.3 million to provide more services where people require them, close to their homes and personal supports.
- More workers to provide support - $2.3 million to provide evidence based training for health professionals working with people impacted by methamphetamine use and their families.
- More education, prevention and harm reduction - $2.7 million to ensure the continuation of targeted school and public education programs to reduce the uptake of methamphetamine use amongst young people, and encourage access to support for people at risk.
An additional $21.2 million has also been provided to the WA Police Force for the Meth Border Force which has led to record seizures and the disruption of criminal syndicates moving meth around the State.
This is in addition to previous funding provided of:
- $25.3 million for community-based residential rehabilitation beds low-medical withdrawal beds across the State.
- $4.5 million for Community Alcohol and Drug Services to support individuals pre and post residential rehabilitation, retain people in treatment and prevent relapse in priority locations.
The State Government has now committed a total of $244.8 million to address methamphetamine issues in Western Australia.
The implementation of the Full Response is supported by the Drug and Alcohol Strategic Senior Officer’s Group (DASSOG), which consists of senior representatives from the main human and social service State Government departments including the: Department of Communities; Department of Education; Department of Health; Department of Justice; Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety; Department of the Premier and Cabinet; Mental Health Commission; Road Safety Commission, School Curriculum and Standards Authority and Western Australia Police Force.
DASSOG’s terms of reference also include the monitoring of implementation of the Western Australian Alcohol and Drug Interagency Strategy 2018-2022 (WAADIS), and initiatives related to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD).
The Mental Health Commission is progressing a range of initiatives to address the recommendations outlined in the MAP Taskforce report.
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