The Drug Diversion Continuum
The WA Diversion program directs offenders with underlying drug use problems into education and treatment. Click on the program links below to read more about each program.
PROGRAMS
Cannabis Infringement Notice Scheme
The Cannabis Infringement Notice Scheme directs offenders away from the court process and into education and treatment. A Cannabis Infringement Notice can only be issued to an offender who is over 18 who is in possession of 30g of cannabis or less, a smoking implement, or up to 2 non-hydroponically grown cannabis plants. An offender issued with a Cannabis Infringement Notice can choose to resolve it by either paying a prescribed fine, attending an education session, or by electing to have the matter contested in Court.
The current WA Government intends to repeal the Cannabis Control Act 2003, and introduce an alternative scheme. Until the new legislation is proclaimed WA police will continue to operate under the current scheme.
All Drug Diversion
All Drug Diversion directs offenders detected with small quantities of illicit drugs into 3 treatment sessions. An offender can only be issued an All Drug Diversion if they are over 18, have no history of previous violent or drug dealing convictions, if they admit to the offence, and if the issuing officer has no doubt that the drugs are for personal use. Only one All Drug Diversion is allowed per individual. If the treatment sessions are not completed within 30 days, a summons is issued for the original drug offence.
Young Person’s Opportunity Program (YPOP)
YPOP is an early intervention diversion program targeting young people aged 10 to 18 who have been identified by their Juvenile Justice Team (JJT) Coordinator as having either an emerging or significant drug issue. In Perth, young people in the Court Conferencing process can participate in YPOP. The offences do not have to involve drugs.
Pre-sentence Opportunity Program (POP)
POP aims to direct offenders with no or minimal criminal record but with a drug use problem into treatment. Participants in the program would normally expect to receive a fine or community based order on a plea of guilty.
Indigenous Diversion Program (IDP)
The Indigenous Diversion Program (IDP) directs indigenous persons who have committed relatively minor offences and that have an alcohol and/or other drug problem. While similar to POP, IDP varies in that it provides a culturally secure regional service.
Supervised Treatment Intervention Regime (STIR)
The Supervised Treatment Intervention Regime (STIR) directs moderate level offenders with a greater drug use problem into treatment. Unlike POP, the STIR program provides ongoing case management of offenders and requires a strong partnership between drug treatment services, Criminal Justice Services (CJS) and the judiciary.
YSTIR Youth Supervised Treatment Intervention Regime.
YSTIR is a diversion option for moderate level young offenders aged between 10 – 18 years who are appearing in the Children’s Court Drug Court but whose drug use problem does not require a program as intensive as that of the Children’s Court Drug Court. As with STIR (see above), Ystir provides ongoing case management of offenders and requires a strong partnership between drug treatment services, Criminal Justice Services (CJS) and the judiciary.
Perth Drug Court
Western Australia has an adult and children’s Drug Court, operating in the Perth. Drug courts aim to direct eligible offenders with substance use problems into appropriate treatment and supervision programs tailored to their specific needs. This court is not funded by COAG Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative, however, it completes the continuum of court diversion options.
EVALUATIONS
The Crime Research Centre undertook an evaluation of the court diversion programs of the Western Australia Diversion Program, being:
- Pre-sentence Opportunity Program (POP)
- Indigenous Diversion Program (IDP)
- Supervised Treatment Intervention Regime (STIR)
A Summary Report outlining the key findings, and a copy of the full report (note: file size 1MB) is contained below.
Summary Report
Full Report
Further evaluation of the court diversion programs is scheduled for 2009-10. Results will be available on completion
For information on any of the above please contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on (08) 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024 (for country callers only).