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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2005 Week 03 Hansard (Thursday, 10 March 2005 2005) . . Page.. 929 ..

Answers to questions

Drugs—diversion program(Question No 11)

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

• 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;

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

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

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

• 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;

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

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

• How much has the drug diversion program cost the Territory to date;

• 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:

• 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.

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

• Of those referred to the Drug Diversion program, 27 were under the age 18.

• (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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