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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 382 ..
Non-attendance at treatment - 4 (alternative recommendations/sentence)
Non-compliance notifications - 8
Current clients - 113
Police Early Diversion
Number of clients referred - 5
Gender - 5M/0F
Average age - 23
Primary drug - cannabis (2); methamphetamine (1); opiates (1); ecstasy (1)
Treatment attended - counselling (2); assessment for pharmacotherapy (1)
Non-compliant - 0
The ACT's range of drug diversion programs described here are, like the MERIT Program in New South Wales, early intervention approaches which in the longer term are more cost effective than custodial sentencing responses, regardless of their self evident differential in human costs. A primary goal of all such programs, irrespective of jurisdiction, is to break the cycle of drug dependency and criminality.
Quantifying the cost-effectiveness of custodial sentencing is a task that would require the tracking of recidivists along with those who never return to the criminal justice system as well as numerous other variables. The Government's support for diversionary strategies draws both on extensive international research showing the cost-effectiveness of early intervention programs and the public's widely understood preference to minimalise the criminalisation of people, especially young people caught up in drug issues.
Mugga Lane Tip (Question No 368)
Mr Cornwell asked the Minister for Urban Services, upon notice:
In relation to the Mugga Way Tip:
(1) What is the cost per rubbish placement at each area;
(2) If you wished to deposit rubbish at each area, how many stops would you
have to make;
(3) Is the person delivering the rubbish to each area responsible for its unloading;
(4) What penalties are imposed if rubbish is off-loaded in the wrong area;
(5) Who administers the penalty, ie; on-the-spot or by mail;
(6) How many people are employed at the Mugga Lane Tip.
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