Controversial plans to lock up methamphetamine users in crisis accommodation will be investigated as part of the WA Government's $42.5 million response to a report on combating the drug.
Six months on from the release of the Meth Action Taskforce report, the State Government has outlined its response.
It includes $4.83 million for a 10-bed crisis centre in the northern suburb of Midland and $200,000 towards planning for short-term safe places for compulsory critical intervention.
Health Minister Roger Cook said while the Government would begin planning for compulsory services, it was not guaranteed they would be introduced.
"We are going to do some planning work to see what needs to be done ahead of any legislation to enable it," Mr Cook said.
"When the previous government looked at compulsory drug and alcohol services it was widely rejected by the sector, so we are obviously going to have to proceed carefully.
"The decision to actually enable a government to detain someone against their will is a step that we can't take lightly.
"What has also been put to me is that while we have a waiting list for people who voluntarily want to access drug and alcohol services, why would we push forward with compulsory services?
"These are complex issues, but they are ones that we are determined to work through."
Midland facility could offer compulsory accommodation
Mr Cook said the Government was waiting on the results of a trial of compulsory drug services in New South Wales.
He said if they did proceed in WA, a new 10-bed crisis centre in Midland — which would initially be open to people on a voluntary basis — could possibly provide the compulsory service.
"This will be a very short-term accommodation arrangement, really to stabilise someone until we can get them into longer-term rehabilitation services," he said.
"This is a new model of care for Western Australia so we are going to have to proceed carefully. But this is something that people have been calling for."
Mr Cook said people would be able to refuse admission to the Midland crisis centre.
"[But] If we do move in that direction [of compulsory intervention services], then obviously the 10-bed facility will lend itself very nicely to that approach."
Most detainees have meth in system: police
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said two decades ago only about 20 per cent of detainees at the Perth Watch House had meth in their system, whereas today the figure was about 70 per cent.
"We are not seeing significant change yet in the usage," he said.
"We have got to apply this effort at all levels — reducing demand, interrupting supply and having rehabilitation for people that are addicted."
The Government response included a range of provisions for regional WA, with $9.2 million for an alcohol and other drug youth service in the Kimberley and $20.1 million to go towards the North West Drug and Alcohol Support Program.
A further $1.52 million would be spent on expanding the needle syringe exchange program in high-demand regional areas, including the Great Southern and Bunbury.
An extra $1.05 million would go towards alcohol and other drug education programs in schools, with a focus on at-risk students.
