Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug 'Ice'

About the Inquiry

NSW had significant health and social harms caused by the illicit drug crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘ice’, and other amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS). These include MDMA, also known as ‘ecstasy’, which had been linked to several deaths.

In 2018 the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug Ice was created to investigate and advise on how best to tackle the growing ATS issue. 

The Commissioner inquired into:

• the nature, prevalence and impact of crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) in NSW
• the adequacy of existing measures to target ice in NSW
• options to strengthen NSW’s response to ice, including law enforcement, education, treatment and rehabilitation responses.

The Commissioner called on a broad range of witnesses including experts, frontline workers and those with lived experience of ATS.  

The Inquiry made 109 recommendations to issues across government, including:

• greater coordination of alcohol and other drug policy
• decriminalisation
• reframing substance use as a health issue
• a greater investment in treatment, diversion and workforce initiatives
• education and prevention programs
• better data, reporting and research
• a clear focus on priority populations, especially:
  • Aboriginal people who experience disproportionate impacts from ATS
  • rural and regional people
  • people in contact with the criminal justice system.