Initiatives
Overdose
When attending a drug overdose, preservation of life is a law enforcement priority. NSW Police Force have developed Guidelines to encourage police officers to exercise their discretion not to charge persons present at drug overdoses for minor drug matters. This is designed to remove any reluctance that these persons may have to call an ambulance caused by fear of police prosecution.
Drug Diversion Strategies
Research indicates that there is a significant link between drug use and crime. Many drug users engage in crime to pay for the drugs they use, for example property theft.
Drug diversion initiatives give offenders who use drugs, the chance to undertake education and/or treatment aimed at helping them to stop using drugs and committing further crimes.
By targeting less serious drug offences, such initiatives also aim to prevent a potential new generation of drug users committing drug-related crime.
Drug diversion initiatives do not change the legal status of drugs. The possession and use of illegal drugs remain criminal offences.
Young Offenders Act Amendments
The Young Offenders Act was amended in April 2000 to include minor drug offences committed by young people (such as possession of small quantities). This change allows minor drug offenders to get help and aims to stop them offending again. It applies to all areas of NSW.
Cannabis Cautioning Scheme
The Cannabis Cautioning Scheme provides for formal cautioning of adult offenders detected for minor cannabis offences. The Scheme uses police intervention to assist offenders to consider the legal and health ramifications of their cannabis use and seek treatment and support.
Research shows that arrest for recreational drug use has not always proven effective and involvement in the criminal justice system is expensive, as well as time consuming, for criminal justice and law enforcement agencies.
Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT)
The Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program is designed for offenders who are eligible for bail and who show potential for treatment and rehabilitation. MERIT aims to prevent offenders committing crimes and returning to drug use, by making participation in drug treatment a condition of bail.
Youth Drug & Alcohol Court
The Youth Drug Court is a first for Australia. It aims to break the drug-crime cycle and provides young people with an opportunity to learn skills to assist them in dealing with drug use and the problems it creates. This assists young people to lead useful and productive lives within the community.
Adult Drug Court
The first Adult Drug Court in Australia opened in Parramatta in February 1999. The Drug Court aims to help adult offenders, who have serious drug problems, break the drug-crime cycle by providing a supervised program of treatment and rehabilitation.
NSW Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy
For more information on drugs, visit the NSW Government Drug Information site: