SA Health Consultation on Mandatory Assessment for Substance Dependence

Consultation Process

UPDATE: Below is a record of what appeared on YourSAy during the open consultation process from 5 January 2018 to 9 February 2018.

Have your say on the SA Health Consultation on Mandatory Assessment for Substance Dependence. SA Health is inviting feedback on the feasibility, costs and impacts of trialling a model for mandatory assessment, detention and treatment for those at extreme and immediate risk, based on the Victorian Severe Substance Dependency Treatment Act 2010. You can read the consultation paper prepared to inform that process here (PDF 562KB).

What is being decided?

In February 2017, the Government established the Ministerial Crystal Methamphetamine Taskforce (the Taskforce) to develop a response to the harms from crystal methamphetamine use in South Australia, and the community impacts from health to justice and child protection.

In line with the Taskforce’s recommendations, the South Australian Ice Action Plan (PDF 351KB) was launched by the Premier on 15 June 2017.

The South Australian Ice Action Plan includes an action to consider a model for mandatory assessment and/or treatment for those at extreme and immediate risk, based on the Victorian Severe Substance Dependency Treatment Act 2010.

How can you get involved?

SA Health is inviting feedback on the feasibility, costs and impacts of trialling a model for mandatory assessment, detention and treatment for those at extreme and immediate risk, based on the Victorian Severe Substance Dependency Treatment Act 2010. You can read the consultation paper prepared to inform that process here (PDF 562KB).

You can have your say by:

• joining the online discussion
• emailing your feedback to dassahealthpolicy@sa.gov.au
• sending your feedback to
  • SA Health Mandatory Assessment for Substance Dependence Consultation
    C/- Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA)
    75 Magill Road
    Stepney SA 5069

Have your say before comments close 5pm Friday 9 February 2018.

How can your input influence the decision?

Your feedback will help inform decision-making by the South Australian Government about whether it is feasible to conduct a trial for mandatory assessment and/or treatment for those at extreme and immediate risk, based on the model enshrined in the Victorian Severe Substance Dependency Treatment Act 2010. It will also add to consideration of the clinical, legal, financial, administrative and other requirements for any trial.

Background

The Stop The Hurt South Australian Ice Action Plan (PDF 351KB) was launched on behalf of the Government by the Premier on 15 June 2017.

As a result of the South Australian Ice Action Plan, the Government is investing $8 million over four years in targeted strategies to reduce supply, increase support to families, build capacity and increase treatment. This is in addition to the approximately $5.7 million of SA Health’s current annual budget which has been allocated for the provision of treatment services to people with methamphetamine use issues.

Initiatives focus on the key priority areas of reducing supply, increasing treatment and family support, building community education and capacity.

The South Australian Ice Action Plan included the action, “Considering a model for mandatory assessment and/or treatment for those at extreme and immediate risk, based on the Victorian Severe Substance Dependency Treatment Act 2010.”