About Diversion

• NSW Government
• Australian Government 
• Australian States and Territories
• Other Australian Links
• International
• Research

NSW Government

NSW Drug Summit - Plan of Action (Section 6): Breaking the Drugs and Crime Cycle 

NSW Drug Summit - Partnerships For Change
See section 6 - a report by the NSW Government.

Legislation

• Bail Act 1978 (Section 36A)
• Drug Court Act 1998 No 150
• Drug Court Amendment Act 1999 No 47
• Drug Court Amendment Act 2002 No 93
• Drug Court Regulations 1999
• Young Offenders Act 1997

NSW Drug Diversion Continuum

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Australian Government

Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC): Australian approaches to drug-crime diversion
This paper describes the five main types of drug-crime diversionary programs currently in use across Australia. The continuum of opportunities for minimising the progress of offenders through the criminal justice system or diverting them out altogether is described, along with some examples of diversionary measures. The key stages for drug crime diversionary interventions are: pre arrest; pre trial; pre sentence; post conviction at sentencing; and pre release from detention or gaol.

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Australian States and Territories

ACT

• Diversion Service
  An overview of the Diversion services offered by ACT Health.
• ACT Early Intervention and Diversion Program
  An overview of the Diversion services from the Australian Federal Police website.

Northern Territory

• NT Illicit Drug Pre Court Diversion Program

Queensland

• Just treatment: a review of international programs for the diversion of drug related offenders from the criminal justice system. 2003
• Drug Diversion Amendment Act 2002
• Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000

South Australia

• Aboriginal Drug & Alcohol Council (SA) Inc. Police Drug Diversion Liaison Project

Victoria

• Evaluation of the Drug Diversion Pilot Program
  A Report prepared for the Drugs and Health Protection Services Branch, Public Health Division, Department of Human Services, Victoria. 1999 (pdf)
• Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre: Diversion Communications Packages
  (Includes Handbook for drug clinicians, Handbook for magistrates, Handbook for police, and Handbook for lawyers)
• Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre: Diversion Communications Packages
  The Magistrates Court of Victoria: C.R.E.D.I.T.
Court Referral & Evaluation for Drug Intervention & Treatment (CREDIT)
Drug diversion program: Victoria
Victoria Police: Drug & Alcohol Policy Strategy Unit

Western Australia

• Reporting on the Implementation of the Western Australian Drug and Alcohol Strategy. 2002-2005
  Part of the Government’s response to the 2001 Western Australian Community Drug Summit and provides a framework for stakeholders to contribute to the reduction of social and health issues resulting from alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. November 2004
  

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Other Australian Links

Australian National Drug Council (ANCD)
Diversion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth from juvenile detention.
2003

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International

Calderdale Youth Offending Team
The website of the UK Calderdale Youth Offending Team which is a one-stop shop for all young offenders. The Youth Offending Team provides a national training programme which emphasises strategic partnership.

California Drug Court Project
Contains background information, reports on news of drug courts, other resources, etc.

The Glasgow Drug Court in Action: The First Six Months
This report presents the findings from a formative and process evaluation of the Drug Court’s operation in the first six months. The aim was to document the operation of the Drug Court during this initial period with a view to identifying any changes that might be required to enhance its operational effectiveness. 2002 (720Kb pdf file)

National Criminal Justice Reference Service: Drug Courts
Resources related to drug courts.

National Drug Court Institute (NDCI)
This links to the website of the NCDI which contains information on drug courts links to further resources, factual information, publications on the drug court system, etc. The NCDI also provides a comprehensive drug court training series for practitioners, supports investigative projects aimed at the development of more effective drug court policies and procedures and disseminates important drug court specific research, evaluations and relevant commentary.

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Research

UK Criminal Policy Research Unit.
Review of criminal justice interventions for drug users in other countries
December 2002

Police Cautioning of Adults: Drug and Other Offences - A briefing paper
April 1999

ADAC Police Drug Diversion Liaison Project

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