Queensland’s Drug and Alcohol Court now in operation

The Palaszczuk Government has delivered on its promise to reinstate the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court, which has begun officially operating from the Brisbane Magistrates Court this week.

At this court this morning, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath, joined by Chief Magistrate Judge Ray Rinaudo, said the Court would sentence and supervise the treatment of high-risk and high-needs offenders who have entrenched drug and alcohol use.

“The Drug and Alcohol Court will target the underlying cause of crime and provide an intensive and targeted response to adult offenders with severe drug and alcohol issues,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“It’s important to realise that these are not ‘soft options’. Addressing an addiction is a difficult and often painful process, but is vital to breaking the cycle of drug and alcohol misuse and criminal offending.”

“The court’s ultimate objective will be to improve the safety of the community by reintegrating offenders back into the community as productive members of our society,” Mrs D’Ath said.

Chief Magistrate Judge Rinaudo said the new court—to be led by Magistrate Annette Hennessy—has expanded eligibility criteria, intensive treatment, strict supervision, and integrated case management.

“The Court brings together an integrated response from the judiciary, law enforcement, corrections, legal and health practitioners and is based on best practice from Australia and around the world,” Judge Rinaudo said.

“This approach ensures the criminal justice system is properly equipped to respond to and directly address drug and alcohol use that contributes to offending behaviour.”

Mrs D’Ath said the Palaszczuk Government committed to reinstating the Drug Court after it was axed by the previous LNP Government.

“We have committed $22.7 million over four years to re-establish this vital specialist court, which ensures the Queensland criminal justice system is properly equipped to directly address drug and alcohol use that contributes to offending behaviour.”

Queensland Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Lang said: “QNADA is very pleased to see the re-establishment of the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court and we look forward to working with Government to ensure the program’s success.”

Health Minister Steven Miles said the Government was committed to tackling the scourge of ice through investment in prevention, education and treatment programs.

“Drug use is both a criminal problem, and a health problem,” Mr Miles said.

“When it comes to tackling ice, we are focused on reducing demand and investing in services to deal with those who need treatment.

“Currently, we have frontline services (Drug and Alcohol Brief Intervention Teams) in place at six Hospital and Health Services to respond swiftly to problems associated with the use of ice and other drugs.

“Our $350 million Connecting Care to Recovery 2016-2021 plan guides the Government’s investment in mental health and drug and alcohol services.

“This includes $43 million over five years for non-government agencies to provide drug and alcohol services across Queensland.

“Last year, we held a series of ice forums across Queensland to tackle this scourge. The draft ice strategy includes 65 actions and is due to be considered and finalised by Cabinet next month.”

The court will operate under the following model:

• Offenders will be sentenced to a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order, which includes a term of imprisonment of up to four years wholly suspended while they participate in intensive treatment and strict supervision for two years.
• Led by a dedicated magistrate.
• Dedicated drug court team co-located in the Brisbane Magistrates Courts, involving Queensland Police Service, Legal Aid Queensland, Queensland Health, Queensland Corrective Services, and Queensland Courts.
• Accommodation support and job skilling provided by the Government.
• Treatment and case plans delivered by accredited providers that also addresses other criminogenic needs.
• Manageable caseloads to ensure quality case management of the offender.
• Frequent and random mandatory drug testing that informs the court about an offender’s progress in treatment.
• Attendance by the drug court team and offender at regular court hearings.
• Use of rewards and sanctions delivered in a swift and certain manner to encourage or correct an offender.
• Supervision and treatment program run over three distinct phases: stabilisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration and relapse prevention.

More information is available here: http://www.courts.qld.gov.au/courts/drug-court

Media contact: 0437 696 809