The story is built on the idea that “funding for  [drug] treatment is being cut” by the federal government. This is rubbish.

I announced prior to the budget that rehabilitation and detoxification services funded by the federal government would continue to receive the same funding this year as they did last: $87 million.

The article also refers to “cuts” from the substance misuse funding (these funds do not relate to detox or rehab services). The truth is the savings made were mostly due to underspend – projects completed with money left over - and a pause in indexation. No contracts were cancelled or withdrawn.

Furthermore, the reality is hospitals, ambulances, police and other services at the front line of drug abuse are funded by the states.

The journalist complains that our ice ads are a remake of ads which last screened in 2009. Testing showed the ads were still extremely effective, so why would we waste taxpayers’ money making completely new ones? 

We’re proud to have reinstated the anti-ice advertising which Labor cut in 2010, which preceded a doubling of ice use from 2010-13. 

We’ve also created a National Ice Taskforce to produce a report for government, which will be the basis of a National Ice Strategy which will, of course, require the support of state governments. 

I’ve also personally travelled 26,000 kilometres to 10 venues across rural and regional Australia holding community forums, which I’ve fed into the taskforce, to ensure rural Australia’s voice was heard.

Senator Fiona Nash, 

Minister responsible for drug and alcohol policy