The WA Liberals are pledging to introduce court-ordered compulsory rehabilitation for substance addiction for people who repeatedly resort to criminal activity to support their addiction.
If elected, they would introduce legislation to mandate an initial eight weeks of compulsory treatment and rehabilitation under judicial supervision for dependent people, with the option for an additional four weeks at judicial direction.
The Liberals said the legislation would be supported by a $13 million funding commitment to build five additional high-needs medical beds and 13 residential rehabilitation beds, along with $20 million for operating expenses over four years.
WA Liberal Leader and Shadow Mental Health Minister Libby Mettam believes compulsory treatment is long overdue in WA.
“Too many families in WA are in the devastating position of watching someone they love fall through the cracks because they have reached a point in their addiction where they are incapable of helping themselves,” Ms Mettam said.
“Current treatment options are failing some of the most vulnerable in our community, who often have chronic and complex problems, including co-occurring mental health illness, cognitive impairment and other health, social and welfare issues.”
Ms Mettam committed to a comprehensive review of the program after three years of operation and argued that the state government has failed to slow the flow of methamphetamine into WA.
“Most other states in Australia and New Zealand have compulsory treatment legislation because they realise people severely affected by substance abuse are not likely to make sound choices,” Ms Mettam said.
“This legislation will give the judiciary a sentencing option they do not currently have; that is, the option to treat the individual.”
In May last year, the state government announced a $260 million investment into mental health, alcohol, and other drug services in the 2024-2025 state budget, bringing the total spending on these services to a 68 per cent increase since 2017.
The current Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025, which was updated in 2018, was originally implemented by the Liberal Barnett government in 2015.
The WA Mental Health Commission is currently developing a 2025-30 Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy.
The consultation process concluded last month, and a draft of the strategy is set to be released for further feedback later this year.