• Court ordered compulsory drug and other substance rehabilitation for up to 12 weeks

• New hope for families of severely addicted people

• $13 million for new high-needs medical beds and 13 residential rehabilitation beds

• $20 million operating cost over four years

• Saving lives with better choices for people suffering substance addiction

The WA Liberal Government will introduce court-ordered compulsory drug and other substance rehabilitation for people who repeatedly resort to criminal activity to support to their addiction.

WA Liberal Leader and Shadow Mental Health Minister Libby Mettam said compulsory treatment was long overdue in WA and would be an important weapon in the fight against drug and substance addiction and the community harms that result from it.

“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.

“This policy is crucial in offering structured and immediate treatment to those whose substance use poses a significant risk to themselves and others.”

The legislation would provide for an initial eight weeks of compulsory treatment and rehabilitation under judicial supervision for dependent people, which may be extended by another four weeks at judicial direction.

The legislation would be supported by $13 million to build five additional high-needs medical beds and 13 residential rehabilitation beds and $20 million for operating expenses over four years.

Under the Cook Labor Government, WA has become the highest methamphetamine using jurisdiction in the nation.

Ms Mettam said the Cook Government had not only failed to slow the river of methamphetamine flowing into WA it had given up on those affected by addiction.

“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.”

Ms Mettam committed to a comprehensive review of the program after three years of operation.

A review of the similar legislation in New South Wales found it was “beneficial, both to the individual and the public”.

The Liberal’s announcement received immediate support from community advocate Murray Kinnane whose 22-year-old son Jaxon, committed suicide in 2020 while suffering the effects of addiction and a mental health disorder.

“Jaxon died after I spent years literally begging doctors and the courts to force him into treatment for his addiction and mental health issues,” Mr Kinnane said.

“Every time I was told Jaxon had to want to receive treatment; he was an adult and he had to make that choice himself.

“Jaxon presented at hospital for treatment more than 70 times but each time he was either released or left before receiving any effective treatment. Jaxon was not capable of making the choice to undertake meaningful treatment.

“The current Government seems to think it can arrest its way out of the meth crisis it created and have turned their back on those people who are victims of that crisis who need treatment.”

Ms Mettam said that sadly Jaxon Kinnane’s story was far from isolated.

“Both Mr Kinane and I hear from families regularly who are despairing at not being able to help someone they care about,” she said.

“Only a Liberal Government can give them hope.”