The NSW Opposition Leader, Luke Foley, has promised an elected Labor government would call a drug summit in response to an "epidemic" of methamphetamine use.

Mr Foley likened the decision to the famous 1999 summit called by ALP premier Bob Carr to deal with rising heroin usage.

"Ice is the new heroin," Mr Foley said. "We need fresh thinking and fresh approaches."

The 1999 summit produced a highly controversial safe-injecting room in Kings Cross.

But Mr Foley was light on detail about his approach to drugs policy if he won government, saying he did not want to pre-empt the summit by arriving with a prepared list of solutions.

He said the inquiry would hear from families affected by drug use, rural mayors, clinicians and nurses.

"Does there need to be a national crackdown on the bikie gangs who seemingly dominate the supply and distribution of ice?

"Do we need to look at reviving a 'grim reaper' campaign that confronts young people with the end consequences of using ice?

 

"I don't have any preconceptions in mind."

Mr Foley said a new response to curb ice use would be one of his top priorities if elected.

The Salvation Army said the number of people presenting to its recovery services program seeking treatment for ice addiction has increased by 122 per cent since 2010.