DPEC update December 1999 issue 1

Page content: Victorian Government announces expert Committee to advise on drug policy | consultation | Membership | This publication | What are the consultation processes/structures for stage 1

An occasional update of the activities of the Drug Policy Expert Committee, advising the Victorian Government on Drug Policy.

Victorian Government announces expert Committee to advise on drug policy

The Drug Policy Expert Committee first met on 19 November 1999 as a result of the State Government announcement that it required advice regarding the implementation of its drug policy.

The Committee has broad terms of reference and is required to report to Government in two stages:

• The first stage report is required by the end of March 1999. This report will focus on the development of local drug strategies in areas of high drug usage and the establishment of a trial of injecting facilities in five areas.
• The second stage report is required by the end of the year 2000 and involves assessment of service delivery reform and expansion as well as any legislative and regulatory change to be considered by the Government.

Consultation

Since being established the Committee has met weekly and established a range of consultative, working and information strategies. These are outlined over the page. Most of these structures are currently focussed upon the requirements of the Stage 1 Terms of Reference and will be adapted and refined as the Committee moves more actively into dealing with the issues of Stage 2.

Membership

The membership of the Committee is:

Dr David Penington A.C., Chair

Prof Margaret Hamilton, Director, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre

Prof Pat O'Malley, Professor of Law and Legal Studies, La Trobe University

Cr Dick Gross, Mayor, City of Port Phillip

Robert Richter, QC

Mr Bernie Geary, Assoc. Director Programs and Projects, Jesuit Social Services

Dr Rob Moodie, CEO, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.

This publication

DPEC Update is the first in an occasional series of newsletters designed to inform interested parties about the work of the Committee. Future issues of DPEC Update will be released as key events which might be of interest occur in the work of the Committee.

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What are the consultation processes/structures for stage 1

Victoria Police and DPEC have agreed to establish a two level consultative process:

• Committee members will meet on a regular basis with a formal Reference Group to be chaired by Assistant Commissioner Severino
  
  
• A broader consultative group from across the force will provide input to the Reference Group
  
  
• A commitment has been made to close liaison and sharing of information as the work of the Committee progresses

• In recognition of the diversity and significance of the range of cultural issues the Committee has formally appointed two advisers to assist in gaining consultation and access to relevant input
  
  
• Mr Phong Nguyen and Mr Hass Dellal will link DPEC to communities and assist with integration of their input

• DPEC has formally met with a group from the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) who will advise on a wide range of service issues
  
  
• The Committee also expects to consult with other health and community service agencies through relevant peak bodies

• A drug user consultative group has been established. It involves peak bodies and a number of individuals and will provide advice and assistance to DPEC to gain input from other drug users as required

• DPEC will meet with youth workers involved in relevant areas to develop an understanding of the issues contributing to young peoples' drug use
  
  
• Advice will be sought from a number of sources as the issues of 'primary prevention' are tackled

• DPEC is current working with the five municipalities identified as potential sites for an injecting facility
  
  
• DPEC will work in concert with each municipality to consult directly and with community stakeholders on the development of municipal drug strategies and the issues relating to injecting facilities

As well as establishing the consultative processes outlined above, the Committee is working on:

• Evaluation design
  A sub committee is developing the evaluation approach to the injecting facility trial and broader monitoring and evaluation requirements related to the Government's drug policy
  
  
• Legal issues
  The Committee is gathering material and legal opinion in order to fully inform itself on legal, civil, planning and international requirements for drug service reform
  
  
• Service design
  A working group of the Committee is preparing material on options for implementation of injecting facilities and local service provision

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