Those who took part in the online poll rated 'stemming the flow of ice and drugs in the community' in their top three most-important election issues, out of 12 options.

Asked 'what measures would you support to tackle ice and illegal drug issues in Orange?', and, 'is the solution as simple as increasing the number of police in the city?', the nine candidates contesting the seat offered varied levels of details in their responses, although almost all agreed there was nothing simple about fixing the problem.

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Part of The Greens' candidate Stephen Nugent's solution was to fund an independent drug regulatory authority using drug and alcohol taxes, whose aim was to reduce the adverse effects of drug use.

Mr Nugent said simply increasing the number of police will not provide a solution to the impact of illegal drugs, and the emphasis on prohibition had failed to reduce their use.

Keep Sydney Open candidate David O'Brien and Country Labor Party candidate Luke Sanger both agreed with Mr Nugent's assertion that Australia's war on drugs wasn't working.

While both stopped short of detailed policy suggestions, Mr O'Brien said he would "fund heavily-support programs to prevent people having a need to involve themselves in these behaviours to begin with", while Mr Sanger said he would "support and adhere to suggestions made at the next drug summit if [NSW Labor leader] Michael Daley is successful in winning government."

Australian Conservatives candidate Garry McMahon and the Christian Democratic Party's candidate Maurice Davey both took a hard line on the criminalisation of drug users and those caught supplying them.

Mr Davey said even occasional users are complicit in the drug problem, and Mr McMahon suggested tougher bail laws and sentencing.

Nationals candidate Kate Hazelton said she would campaign for an extra six police and "double down on investing in young people in our area by providing more mental health support and more activities that are oriented towards them".

She claimed she would also look to "provide extra support and training to our nurses, frontline police and ambos who are tackling this issue everyday".

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate and incumbent member for Orange Phil Donato said, if re-elected, he would "continue the good work we have been able to achieve with police and community groups in securing more frontline police and funding".

Liberal Democratic Party candidate Stephen Bisgrove said education was important - but didn't say how that translated to policy - however, like independent candidate Terri Ann Baxter, said he would support improved and increased rehab facilities in the region.