NADA Condemns Drug Summit Recommendations Funding Failure
The peak body for non-government alcohol and drug services has heavily criticised the New South Wales (NSW) state budget, stating that 100,000 people remain stranded on rehabilitation waiting lists.
Harry Taruva 
Sydney — The peak council representing non-government Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) treatment services in New South Wales has launched a sharp critique against the state government, accusing it of failing to implement critical mandates established during its own 2024 Drug Summit.
The Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA) stated on Tuesday that the newly delivered NSW Budget 2026–27 completely omits targeted funding expansions for the addiction treatment sector.
The organisation reports that more than 100,000 individuals across the state currently remain on waiting lists, unable to access rehabilitation or harm-reduction services due to capacity constraints.
NADA’s formal pre-budget submission had requested an additional allocation of AU$13 million annually over a five-year period to stabilise operations across more than 150 community-based and regional service hubs.
The sector currently reports high complexity in client caseloads alongside severe workforce retention difficulties.
"The NSW Government has missed a critical opportunity to act on the Drug Summit’s findings," NADA Chief Executive Dr. Robert Stirling said.
"Today’s Budget categorically fails to address the growing demand... We can’t help but think that the Drug Summit was simply window dressing, rather than a genuine attempt to reform key policy gaps," he said.
Dr. Stirling further noted that New South Wales has operated without a formalised, public, whole-of-government AOD strategic framework for over 15 years, leaving the sector without an integrated roadmap to guide long-term policy reform or ensure fiscal accountability.
Leone Crayden, Chief Executive of The Buttery and Chair of NADA, says the lack of funding would disproportionately impact regional areas experiencing acute service deficits.
"Investment in alcohol and other drugs treatment is not simply a health expenditure," Crayden stated.
"It’s an investment in stronger families, safer communities and better long-term outcomes across health, housing, justice and social services," she said.
