Thursday, 19 March 2026

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (13:05): (2261) My question is to the Minister for Mental Health as the minister responsible for drug prevention, harm reduction and treatment, regarding the prevalence of drugs in northern Victoria. This week I spoke with a grandmother in a small regional town in my electorate. Police attended her home because of threats of violence from her own grandson under the influence of drugs. I also spoke with a family from Bendigo who lost their 19-year-old grandson after he was killed by a driver who was high on drugs. I recall speaking with a mum whose son started using marijuana at 29, and by 36 he was in a psychiatric centre for the fourth time. No doubt we have all seen people walking the streets, whether it be in regional towns or in Melbourne, who are clearly affected by drugs. In small regional towns mental health services do not exist, and Bendigo providers tell me there are not enough beds or support services to meet demand. I am concerned the government is sending the wrong message by establishing an injecting centre next to a school, legalising pill testing at concerts and through a service called Never Use Alone. Given the prevalence of drugs is contributing to rising crime, road trauma and family violence and increasing pressure on hospitals and ambulance services, what action is the government taking to reverse this trend and reduce drug harm, especially in regional communities, where support services are few and far between?

Sitting suspended 1:07 pm until 2:11 pm.