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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 7 Hansard (1 July) . . Page.. 2052 ..
MR MOORE
(continuing):remandees
who have committed offences related to their drug use. This early intervention criminal justice program would be initiated at the first court appearance stage.Mr Speaker, this Government supports additional diversionary mechanisms for people confronting the criminal justice system because of drug related crime.
Consideration needs to be given to whether the police diversion approach proposed by the Commonwealth can be implemented successfully and will complement current and proposed ACT policy and practice, or whether the associated costs and disruption do not justify it.
For these reasons I have argued strongly that all States and Territories need to work directly with the Commonwealth to design their own diversionary projects which are consistent with jurisdictional priorities and clearly defined outcomes.
The funds that will be directed to the ACT are limited, and will not achieve the substantial expansion of treatment programs that the Commonwealth suggests.
Indeed the concern by State and Territory Ministers about the adequacy of funding was noted in the joint communique from the council.
The ACT will therefore be examining priorities for treatment funding, highlighting the best opportunities for diverting people who are drug dependent.
Officials from my Department will work with the Department of Justice and Community Safety to develop a diversion proposal which complements existing and proposed ACT programs, is appropriately linked to counselling, education and rehabilitation services, and achieves real outcomes both for drug-dependent people and the wider community.
What is important here is not that 'X' number of people are apprehended and forced into treatment. 'Runs on the board' aren't enough, to use one of the Prime Minister's analogies.
For me, indicators of the real success of our programs are that people:
are assisted to move away from a drug-using lifestyle, and are kept alive and in the best possible health while they are making that decision;
are able to lead relatively normal lives through methadone or other pharmacological maintenance programs;
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