Drug fix fails test as users abuse Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative
DRUG users with no intention of getting clean are using a diversion program to avoid the courts - including one person who took it 32 times.
DRUG users are abusing the system by repeatedly using the government diversion program to avoid the courts and criminal convictions, experts have warned, including one person who has completed it 32 times.
Several police officers, a top Adelaide psychologist - who all wished to remain anonymous - and Liberal police spokesman Dan van Holst Pellekaan told The Advertiser many repeat offenders had no intention of quitting illegal drugs and were manipulating the system.
Another user went on the program 14 times, while 27 per cent of all participants had repeated the program at least once in its 12-year history.
Five per cent of the more than 16,000 participants had tried three times to end their illegal drug-taking without success, and 5 per cent were diverted more than four times.
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Funded by the Federal Government, the Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative is designed to help people off illegal drugs and keep them out of the courts. It operates in collaboration with SA Police, SA Health and non-government service providers.
A Freedom of Information inquiry to SA Police by Mr van Holst Pellekaan revealed that in 2011-12, 137 of the 3443 small-time drug users went through treatment on three or more occasions.
The highest number of diversions for one person in the period was 14, which stunned the experts.
Data from the Ten Years of the SA Police Drug Diversion Initiative report, released last year, showed 13,627 people used the program in that time.
Fifteen per cent went through twice, 5 per cent three times, 4 per cent had four or more diversions and one was saved from the courts 32 times.
"Even blind Freddy could see they are not the ones who would benefit by the drug diversion program,'' the psychologist said.
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"In theory, it is a good idea. so people with a drug problem can look at rehabilitation. But it's doubtful just how flexible you can be before those who don't take advantage of the opportunity to change their ways, have to face the consequences. If they blow their chances - bad luck, they should go through the court system like anybody else.''
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said if the Liberals win power at the March election, they would introduce a three-strikes policy for program access.
"When you have clearly not availed yourself of the benefits of that opportunity ... on the third time you are going to court. I think that's very fair,'' he said. "We would confine the opportunity to take that diversion to people who are going to make good use of it.''
The high numbers returning to the program showed many were abusing it, he said.
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"Sure, once or twice, make good use of it … however, the third time, you do not get to make that choice any more,'' he said. "The third time, we (Liberals) will let a magistrate make the choice as to whether (diversion) is something that is going to help.
"The Government has wasted thousands of taxpayer dollars and police resources by allowing a person to use the program 14 times.''
"The … drug diversion program is a privilege which is not deserved again by an offender who has already wasted it twice.''
Police officers contacted by The Advertiser said they wasted hours processing people charged with simple drug possession to a diversion program, then arranging appointments with SA Health, only to see them return again and again.
A spokeswoman for SA Health said the program:
PROVIDED people with early incentives to address drug use, in many cases before incurring a criminal record.
INCREASED the number of users diverted into drug education and treatment.
REDUCED the number of people appearing before the courts for use or possession of small quantities of illicit drugs.
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"Compliance with diversions is high, with almost 80 per cent of individuals fulfilling the requirements,'' she said.
"(It) has been operating for 12 years, therefore it is not unexpected that some people have been detected more than once during that period. However, the majority of people ... only receive a single diversion (72.87 per cent) and individuals who comply with their diversions are significantly less likely to reoffend.
"There is evidence that (such) Australian drug diversion programs provide value for money.''
The PDDI forms part of the Council of Australian Government's Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative.
SA Police declined to comment.