Page 929 - Week 03 - Thursday, 10 March 2005

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Answers to questions

Drugs—diversion program
(Question No 11)

Mr Smyth asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 7 December 2004:

(1) Did the Government announce a $70 000 new drug diversion program in January 2002; if so, how many people have been referred to drug treatment programs via the drug diversion program since its inception;

(2) What is the breakdown of (a) males and (b) females who have been treated through the drug diversion program;

(3) Of those treated, were any under the age of 18; if so, how many;

(4) What is the feedback from the (a) AFP and (b) ACT Health on how this program is working;

(5) Have any persons who have been treated by the drug diversion program been found by police to be in possession of drugs again; if so, (a) how many and (b) what was their penalty the second time round;

(6) Are all those sent through the drug diversion program willing participants; if not, what happens to those who are not willing participants;

(7) Have any staff been hurt (a) physically or (b) mentally, as part of this program;

(8) How much has the drug diversion program cost the Territory to date;

(9) What amount of funds has been allocated to the program this financial year.

Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is a joint response from ACT Health and the Australian Federal Police:

(1) Yes, the ACT Government did announce a $70 000 new drug diversion program in January 2002, and 85 people have been referred to the program since its introduction.

(2) The breakdown of males/females referred to the Drug Diversion program is as follows:

(3) Of those referred to the Drug Diversion program, 27 were under the age 18.

(4) (a) The AFP believes that the program delivers benefits and to this end reapplied for funding for 2004-2005 and is awaiting final approval. The program ensures that the approach to illicit drug use in the ACT remains consistent with the principles of harm

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