6. Areas for further investigation
   1. In conducting this inquiry, the Committee encountered several issues that it was unable to explore in depth. The Committee believes that it would be beneficial if these matters were given further attention in a future inquiry.
   2. The Committee recognises that building a comprehensive understanding of evolving patterns and emerging types of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use in Australia remains critical for developing effective policy responses. This endeavour inherently requires further research into enhanced detection and monitoring methods, particularly for new substances entering the Australian market.
   3. While providing a comprehensive critique of the current service models in the AOD sector, much of the evidence submitted to the inquiry also points to models of care that have proven to be effective. The Committee strongly believes that these best practice models, which exist both in Australia and overseas, should be further explored. New management practices (such as at home detox), and novel pharmacotherapies should also be canvassed.
   4. The Committee acknowledges that AOD harm does not impact all corners of the country nor all Australians equally. While priority populations have been examined to some extent in this issues paper, further study of these cohorts and their unique requirements would be worthwhile. Additional evidence should be gathered, for example, on the impact of AOD-related harm in culturally and linguistically diverse communities; we should also know more about how AOD impacts older Australians, and how health impacts of AOD are addressed in remote and regional communities.
   5. In reflecting on how AOD-related harms impact different population groups, the Committee believes that more focus should be placed on specific industries. Submissions from individuals and advocacy groups indicate that a culture of AOD use is particularly strong in certain workplaces—a point that undoubtedly merits further research.
   6. In recognising that AOD-related harms are the product of multiple and diverse factors, the Committee was intrigued by evidence on how our physical environment influences our health, including AOD consumption. This issue is inevitably linked to questions of culture, and how and where Australians spend their leisure time, which in most cases tends to involve alcohol consumption. How to reimagine our public spaces and our free time away from alcohol-centric venues and activities is certainly a question that requires further study.
   7. Questions pertaining to the link between AOD consumption and gender violence were repeatedly raised throughout the inquiry evidence. While this topic is not specifically addressed in this issues paper, it inevitably frames much of the discussion contained within. The Committee acknowledges that this is both a significant and tremendously complex issue, which would be worthy of focused consideration in a future inquiry.
   8. Support for the decriminalisation of drug possession for personal use is also a matter that has been strongly expressed throughout the inquiry. This is, of course, an issue that requires a multidisciplinary and multisector approach. The Committee believes that further study of this proposed reform is required, and would welcome evidence that would allow for a comprehensive understanding of this subject. In this regard, the Committee notes the recommendation made by the Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, that the Australian Government commission research to understand the impact of decriminalisation in Australian and international jurisdictions.
   9. A future inquiry into the health impacts of AOD would greatly benefit from an in-depth consideration of the international experience across all the topics that were raised in response to the inquiry terms of reference. The Committee is grateful for the offer from entities such as the Global Commission on Drug Policy to inform the inquiry, and hopes for a future forum where these insights could be shared.
   10. Finally, the Committee wishes to acknowledge the importance of the contribution made by people with living and lived experience of AOD-related harm in support of this inquiry. These witnesses provided unique insights into the challenges of navigating substance use problems; equally, they articulated practical and often very innovative suggestions for change, ranging from using fantasy role-playing games as part of AOD recovery framework, to designing an application to integrate different AOD services. The Committee hopes that the voices of those with living and lived experience come across clearly in this issues paper, and encourages their continued strong input in future evidence-gathering efforts.

6.11The Committee suggests that the successive Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport (or equivalent) in the 48th Parliament consider completing a full inquiry report into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia.

6.12The Committee recommends that the Department of Health and Aged Care consider public submissions and evidence received by this inquiry as it prepares advice to Government on revisions to the National Drug Strategy.

Dr Mike Freelander

Chair