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| Database ID |
996 |
| Title |
Police Drug Diversion Liaison Project |
| Description |
Police Drug Diversion Initiative
This program assists Aboriginal people who have been charged by the police with possession of small amounts of illegal drugs. As an alternative to going to court and being fined and getting a criminal record, the person charged can elect to be diverted – to attend an assessment at ADAC and if they want other help we can put them in touch with counseling or treatment services.
Research about Aboriginal people and diversion shows that in the past Aboriginal people have not been very successful in accessing these sorts of programs so ADAC decided to look at what causes this and to do something about it. Not understanding what diversion was and what benefits it offered, lack of a postal address or telephone, lack of transport, difficulty in keeping appointments and distrust of ‘the system’ were all identified as barriers.
ADAC can now conduct the assessments for Aboriginal people diverted under this new program. ADAC is a registered Assessor for the Police Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative - our assessor has been working with diversion programs for the last 10 years. ADAC offers much more than just an assessment. We go to the person and explain what the diversion is all about, we can help with transport to make sure people make their appointments and we can link people to other services, treatment and other forms of assistance. We can also help other assessors with Aboriginal clients by providing these services for other assessors.
Who can ADAC assist?
• Young people under 18 years of age charged with simple possession of cannabis and other illicit drugs such as speed and heroin
• People over 18 charged with simple possession of illicit drugs other than cannabis e.g. speed, heroin, ecstasy etc.
What does ADAC offer?
• Assessments and brief interventions for Aboriginal people
• Assistance for clients to access treatment and other help they may need?
• Transport
• Referrals
• Resources
• Assistance for other assessors with Aboriginal clients
How does it work?
Once a police officer identifies an alleged offender as Aboriginal, they are advised that they can be referred to assessment by an Aboriginal organisation. If they agree to that, the Police Officer will notify the Drug Diversion Line (DDL) ?and the DDL will then send ADAC the details of the diversion and ADAC will make contact with the person. Our Diversion Liaison Worker can visit the person at home, explain what diversion means, tell them about the advantages of the scheme and can even provide transport for them to get to an appointment.
ADAC can provide assessments and brief interventions. We have a range of culturally appropriate education and information materials. We also have good networks with other Aboriginal and mainstream service providers. We can follow a person through and assist them as they access other services – we can provide transport, advocacy and continuing support as they benefit from detoxification, counseling or rehabilitation. |
| Status |
Ongoing |
| Researchers |
|
| Keywords |
Aboriginals; drug use; police; diversion; assessment; brief intervention; |
| Institution |
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc. |
| Contact |
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| Indexed |
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© Alcohol and other
Drugs Council of Australia 2004
Funded by Australian Government
Department of Health and Ageing.
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