More offenders being referred to drug diversion programs to avoid jail, but only half complete the course

JUST half of drug offenders who avoid jail by signing up for a diversion program are completing the course.

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JUST more than half of drug offenders who avoid jail by signing up for an education program complete the course, new figures reveal.

The number of South Australians referred to drug diversion programs by SA Police has risen over the three years to 2015-16 from 3717 to 5314.

However, the compliance rate has fallen from 72.7 per cent to 54.5 per cent. The Opposition argues that the trend shows the program is not working and offenders are “thumbing their noses” at Government attempts to reduce drug-related offending.

Offenders are avoiding jail by signing up to drug diversion programs — but only half complete the course.

Police Minister Peter Malinauskas conceded he would “like to see a higher completion rate” but argued that “any participation” in such programs helped drug users.

Funded by the Federal Government, the Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative enables police officers who encounter people in possession of small amounts of illicit drugs to refer them to the program, instead of charging them with an offence which goes to court.

However, the person must complete the program otherwise police can still proceed with prosecution.

Opposition police spokesman Stephan Knoll, who obtained the figures through a Freedom of Information request, called for “a tougher stance” on compliance.

Mr Malinauskas said that in mid 2015 the rules were changed to require anyone who had used the diversion program three or more times within two years to undergo a “more intensive health intervention for up to six months” and serious drug offenders were not eligible.

Originally published as More offenders being referred to drug diversion programs to avoid jail, but only half complete the course