The Drug Court of NSW will commence sitting at Dubbo today, the first court of its kind in regional NSW.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders says the Dubbo Drug Court is a much-anticipated addition to the region’s justice system.
“This is a government committed to supporting individuals, their families and communities impacted by illicit drugs,” Mr Saunders said.
“Part of that involves strengthening frontline health and justice services and investing in regional communities.”
The NSW Government has committed an initial $27.9 million over four years to expand the successful Drug Court to Dubbo, following a $3.6 million investment to upgrade the Dubbo Courthouse.
“The opening of the Dubbo drug court is a significant step forward and will change many lives for the better.”
A joint justice and health intervention, the Drug Court has been operating in NSW since 1999.
“The Drug Court has proved to be very efficient at driving down crime, and the intensive rehabilitation that it provides costs less than sending offenders to prison,” Mr Saunders said.
“Success in the Drug Court program takes commitment and hard work, but it is a tried and tested program which helps break the cycle of dependency and reoffending and can hand people their lives back.”
Up to 80 eligible adult offenders will be able to undertake the program at the NSW Drug Court at Dubbo at any one time.
Participants undergo a minimum 12-month program under the Drug Court’s supervision, including mandatory detoxification in jail and drug testing up to three times a week in the community, while receiving coordinated treatment and interventions to address the underlying causes of drug dependency and offending.
As part of their program, participants also receive assistance to access housing, income stability, training, employment, relationship, and parenting supports, with the ultimate goal of reintegrating them back into the community.
The Dubbo Drug Court registry will be open five days per week and supervised urine drug testing will be run from the registry three days per week (Monday, Tuesday and Friday).
For further information: https://www.drugcourt.nsw.gov.au/