limit the number of drug diversions

limit the number of drug diversions

2036 WILL MARK OUR STATE S BICENTENARY By the time our State turns 200 years old, I want South Australia to be a place of prosperity. Planning and delivering on my vision for a better future starts now. This policy is an important part of our plan to deliver a clear and responsible pathway to recovery and success. See where it fits in below 1.0 Growing our Economy 2.0 The Best Education System 3.0 BEING A HEALTHY STATE 4.0 Strengthening Communities 5.0 BUILDING OUR STATE 6.0 Ensuring Safety and Justice 6.2 Reducing criminal behaviour through efficient, effective policing and a corrections system that reduces reoffending 6.4 Dealing with emerging trends in crime, as well as entrenched issues such as domestic and family violence and substance abuse 6.5 Delivering a safer community through a fair and transparent justice system 7.0 Protecting our Environment 8.0 Embracing our Unique Culture 9.0 running an Efficient and STABLE Government

We will ensure that offenders can only elect to enter a drug diversion program twice and that, if apprehended a third or subsequent time, they will face court for their actions.

The Problem Under the Controlled Substances Act 1984, an individual found with a controlled substance must be provided with the opportunity to participate in an accredited drug diversion program. SAPOL officers have no discretion as to whether an individual has the opportunity to participate in the program. If an offender meets the requirements set out in the program and chooses to participate, his/her offence will not proceed to court. Further, there is currently no limit to the number of times an offender can participate in the drug diversion program and some offenders have continuously opted to participate in the drug diversion program as a way to avoid more serious punishment. There has been a rapid decline in drug diversion completion rates from 72.7 per cent in 2013-14 to 54.5 per cent in 2015-16, while a 10 year review of the South Australian Drug Diversion Initiative highlights that approximately one quarter of the 13,627 individuals were diverted more than once. 15 per cent were diverted twice, 5 per cent were diverted three times and 4 per cent were diverted four or more times. Serial offenders are abusing the current system, simply because the option is made available to them. This means over 1,200 people had been diverted three times or more, with one person being diverted 32 times. The government has wasted thousands of taxpayer dollars and police resources by allowing people to abuse this program, with police wasting hours processing people charged with simple drug possession to a diversion program, then arranging appointments with SA Health, only to see them return again and again. It is unacceptable for people to access drug diversion programs to enable them to avoid facing court for repeated drug offences.

The State LiberalS Plan We will provide the necessary services to those seriously trying to rehabilitate. To those merely trying to avoid court, this will no longer be an option. If elected in March 2018, a Marshall Liberal Government will limit participation in a policeordered drug diversion program to a maximum of two times before an individual is charged with an offence. As outlined in a 10 year review of the current system, compliance with diversions is high but it tends to decrease as the number of diversions per individual increases. Limiting the number of occasions an offender can participate in the drug diversion program will: send a message to offenders to take the drug diversion program seriously as future offences may result in punishment reduce the amount of work that police must do to repeatedly arrange for participation in the programs. free up resources within the program for offenders who are more likely to genuinely attempt to utilise the rehabilitation services. Offenders who use the program responsibly and get themselves back on track will not be affected. This indicates that the current system is not working and that capping the number of diversions an individual receives is necessary to ensure no one is abusing the drug diversion program.

The Liberals are committed to doing what it takes to win the war on drugs. Steven Marshall, State Liberal Leader

If you would like to provide feedback on our policy or learn more about our plan, please get in touch via: The Office of Steven Marshall MP Parliament House - North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 Phone: 08 8237 9295 Email: steven@stevenmarshall.com.au Web: www.stevenmarshall.com.au facebook.com/stevenmarshallmp @Marshall_Steven

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