Released 22/06/2023 - Joint media release
The ACT Government is further investing in a justice system that breaks the cycles of drug and alcohol related crime, and will also provide improved support for families involved with the ACT Coroners Court.
Through the 2023-24 ACT Budget, the Government will provide $8.4 million to the ACT Drug and Alcohol Sentencing Court to increase its capacity by 20%, with a further $27 million provisioned for the three years beyond
The ACT Drug and Alcohol Court commenced in December 2019, following the 2016 Parliamentary Agreement between the Greens and Labor parties to establish the court. Itis aimed at rehabilitating offenders and reducing crime by diverting offenders with serious drug and alcohol problems to programs and supports that reduce or end their offending. The outcome is a safer community for all Canberrans.
An independent review of the Court last year found it is reducing re-offending, helping offenders get their lives on track, and saving the community millions of dollars.
The new funding will allow the number of places for eligible community members to rise by 20 per cent, from 35 to 42.
Following the appointment of a dedicated ACT Coroner last year, the ACT Government will also provide additional support to grieving families and friends as they go through the coronial process following the death of a loved one.
$634,000 will be spent over two years to fund a specialist forensic counselling service in the Coroners Court for families as well as the recruitment of a second Family Liaison Officer for the Court.
Quotes attributable to ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr:
The Drug and Alcohol Sentencing Court aims to rehabilitate offenders with serious drug and alcohol problems, and protect the Canberra community, by providing health and justice interventions, while holding people to account for their behaviour.
The Drug and Alcohol Sentencing Court adopts an holistic approach to break the cycle of addiction, offending and imprisonment.
Merely locking people up for crimes which flow from the misuse of alcohol and drugs does not work to break the cycle. By addressing underlying causes of addiction such as trauma, this Court changes people’s lives and reduces crime.
Quotes attributable to ACT Attorney-General, Shane Rattenbury:
The Drug and Alcohol Sentencing Court is an important part of the Government’s “justice reinvestment” agenda, which invests in addressing the causes of offending to make the community safer for everyone.
The Drug and Alcohol Court has a proven record of helping people in the community break the cycle of offending. By treating drug and alcohol dependence as a health issue as much as a justice issue, this program has put lives back on track.
Last year’s evaluation estimated the Drug and Alcohol Court had saved the community $14M in avoided prison time – more than its running costs. The program was at capacity, and this expansion will allow more offenders to be diverted from prison, to get treatment, and to break the cycle of offending.
The Government is also committed to improving the ACT’s coronial system. Last year we established a dedicated Coroner for the ACT and are now focused on improving the experience for families and loved ones who engage with the Coronial process.
The new forensic counselling service will provide free support and counselling to loved ones in the immediate aftermath of a death which is being investigated by the Coroner. Additionally, the funding of a second Family Liaison Officer will provide support to families involved in coronial matters.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith:
The Drug and Alcohol Court delivers benefits across our health system, as well as for the wider community. The expansion of this service, partnering with the alcohol and other drug community sector, will continue the ACT Government’s nation-leading approach to minimising harm from substance abuse in the community.
The expansion of the Drug and Alcohol Court is another example of the ACT Government’s strong commitment to harm minimisation at both the individual and community level, delivering on key objectives of the ACT Drug Strategy Action Plan 2022-2026.
People who are dependent on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs can be significantly disadvantaged. This evidence-based approach will continue to ensure that crime caused by addiction is also viewed as a health issue, connecting people with the right health supports and services to get their lives back on track.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases