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Daily Telegraph Journalist Amelia Saw says a federally funded website recently released some “startling” advice encouraging drug addicts to stockpile illicit substances drugs ahead of an expected drug shortage due to the coronavirus.

The online organisation, counsellingonline.org.au, which receives $1.5 million from taxpayers, instructed addicts saying, “talk to your dealer about what might happen if your regular drug supply may be restricted and stock up on your drugs of choice."

Ms Saw said while this statement has since been removed from the website, the Department of Health defended the advice, arguing it was “in line with harm reduction guidelines”.

"There is a drug using community in Australia and people are going to continue to use drugs throughout the pandemic," she said.

While it may seem like a “good thing” for supply lines to be shut down and people to be forced into involuntary withdrawal, the reality is “people in severe withdrawal have symptoms that are very similar to COVID-19” such as a runny nose, head ache and fever, she said.

Having these people present en masse would place an extraordinary strain on the health care system and drug withdrawal symptoms such as coughing could cause “quite a bit of anxiety in the community”.

Sky News host Peta Credlin said a “harder line” was necessary in this situation since taking illicit substances was against the law and the statement released by the website essentially was “advertising for more business for dealers”.

“I would like to see the $1.5 million going to help the addicts in this time when supply is constrained… rather than advising or encouraging them to stockpile,” he said.

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