Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Ministers statements: drug harm reduction

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:29): Further to the theme, I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s community health pharmacotherapy grant program, which is part of our $95 million statewide plan to reduce drug harm. Pharmacotherapy is a proven life-saving treatment and is also an important part of our government’s health-led harm minimisation approach to drug-related harms in our community. Last week I was proud to announce that 15 community health services will share in $8.4 million to expand the availability of this life-changing addiction treatment, helping those who have an opioid dependence to access the medical treatment they need closer to home. Whether the recipients are establishing or expanding a pharmacotherapy prescribing service, the funding will help build resilience in our prescribing capacity right across the state, from the south-west to Gippsland to the Riverina. Up to 1500 additional Victorians will be able to access pharmacotherapy treatments in addition to the almost 15,000 who already use pharmacotherapy each day.

Victorians struggling with addiction deserve the best care no matter where they live, and these pharmacotherapy grants will change and save lives.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank for their tireless efforts our pharmacotherapy workforce, which includes GPs, nurse practitioners and pharmacists, all working to reduce opioid drug harms for individuals across the state. The impact of their work truly is life changing, and our government is committed to supporting the workforce in a health-led approach to reduce drug harms.