Page 3755 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 24 September 2019
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individual has flow-on benefits for the whole community by reducing crime. I note Minister Rattenbury’s comments towards the end of his speech about the importance of acknowledging that there are real victims of these crimes and that their experiences must also be acknowledged. Establishing an ACT drug and alcohol court is an important ACT government commitment, and I look forward to seeing it established to support offenders in their recovery journeys from late 2019.
The health sector will play a pivotal role in this journey. From the very beginning, potential participants in the ACT drug and alcohol court will have contact with health professionals and will be guided right through to completion of the program and graduation. When an offender is referred for assessment for a drug and alcohol treatment order in the Supreme Court, one of the first people they will come in contact with will be a Canberra Health Services clinician, who will undertake a preliminary assessment. This involves gathering information for the court about whether the person has a dependency on drugs and/or alcohol. If there are any mental health issues present, a representative of forensic mental health services will also likely be involved in the interview.
If the Supreme Court then decides that the person can be formally assessed for suitability to be placed on a drug and alcohol treatment order, their matter will be adjourned for approximately six weeks. During this period Canberra Health Services will work closely with the offender to determine, from a health perspective, whether it is appropriate that they be sentenced to a drug and alcohol treatment order.
This comprehensive assessment will involve identifying what types of health challenges the person has and deciding what treatment measures could be best put in place to assist in their recovery. For example, they may need to stay in residential rehabilitation for a period of time, or some time for withdrawal. The offender may have a mental health condition and require medication and counselling. Health clinicians will also consider the person’s history and treatment history, family and living circumstances, and any significant risks such as suicidal behaviours.
The offenders who will be eligible for a drug and alcohol treatment order will need intensive support in other areas as well. This means that we need to look at their whole lives to determine what we can do to give them the best chance of success. We may find that they need stable accommodation, counselling or employment assistance. Others might need help to address behaviours connected to family violence. During the assessment for eligibility and suitability for a drug and alcohol treatment order, these support needs will be identified, and the drug and alcohol court team will work collaboratively, using a harm minimisation approach, to meet these needs in an appropriate and therapeutic way.
During this comprehensive assessment, Canberra Health Services will work closely with other members of the drug and alcohol court team, such as community corrections in ACT Corrective Services, to ensure that these wraparound services are available and that a consistent approach is taken in relation to each individual offender.
All of this will be done in accordance with the suitability and eligibility criteria outlined in the bill we are debating today. After the assessment the health clinician
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