Articles & News

November 25, 2008

Australia Drug court a success: research

Alexandra Smith, http://www.smh.com.au

ADDICTS who commit a drug-related crime are less likely to reoffend if they are dealt with by the NSW Drug Court than if they are are sentenced through the traditional judicial system, research reveals.

A study by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research and the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation found that the Drug Court is more cost effective than sending offenders with a drug addiction to prison.

Offenders who attend the specialist court's program are 17 per cent less likely to be reconvicted for any offence, 30 per cent less likely to be reconvicted for a violent offence, and 38 per cent less likely to be reconvicted of a drug offence, the research shows.

It also shows that the Drug Court costs about $16 million a year, while the estimated cost of dealing with the same offenders through the traditional legal system would be about $18 million.

As part of the 12-month program, drug dependent offenders are required to undergo treatment for their addiction and are monitored closely to ensure they do not continue to use illicit drugs. It includes being subjected to random drug tests.

They are expected to engage in education and rehabilitation courses and have to report back to the court regularly on their progress.

Progress in the program is rewarded with such things as cinema tickets, but if offenders do not comply they can be jailed.

The NSW Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos, said the findings paved the way for an expansion of the Drug Court, an Australian first when it was launched in 1999. It was modelled on a similar program in the US.

"When offenders enter the Drug Court they are often entrenched in a life of drug-related crime and have a jail sentence hanging over their heads," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"This program works by helping to eliminate drug dependency among participants. It also helps offenders to address other causes of crime, such as homelessness and mental health issues, to equip them with the skills to reintegrate into society and make long-term changes to their lives."

Mr Hatzistergos said a purpose-built Drug Court registry was being established at Parramatta Courthouse as part of the building's $13 million upgrade, due to be finished in July.

He said the court had undergone significant change since its inception in a push to make it more cost effective.

"These results show the program is more cost effective than prison in reducing reoffending rates among offenders of drug-related crimes. With the support of their families and friends, each participant has undergone an intensive drug treatment and rehabilitation program that will give them the skills to reintegrate into society, away from a life of crime."