REHAB INSTEAD OF COURT FOR DRUG USERS

South Australian police will have the power to divert drug users into
rehabilitation as an alternative to prosecution under planned new laws.

The proposed laws will allow first-time offenders who are caught with
small quantities of illicit drugs to enter a treatment and
rehabilitation program instead of being prosecuted.

Premier John Olsen said the move gave police further powers to make
value judgments about how to best manage the illicit drug trade and
rehabilitate drug users.

Mr Olsen said the drug diversion laws would keep drug users out of the
court system and prevent them from developing a life dependent on
drugs and crime.

'What we hope to attempt to achieve is a diversion of people who have
become involved early in the drug trade and give them the option of
moving to a rehabilitation program,' Mr Olsen told reporters.

'We think that's important because if people become involved in the
drug trade, if they're not diverted, if they're not rehabilitated,
they can become long-term drug users and abusers,' he said.

'What we're wanting to do is, in an enlightened way, give the police
the power - with the concurrence of the offender - to undertake a
rehabilitation course rather than prosecution.'

Police will make appointments for people to attend a drug assessment
and treatment service, using a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week appointment
scheduling service.

If the person fails to undertake the treatment program, police have an
option to prosecute.

Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Taggart, from the SA Police drug and
alcohol policy section, said the move would not mean more work for
police.

'We certainly see it as a very positive and progressive move in the
fight against illicit drug use,' he said.

The legislation - still to be passed in State Parliament - forms part
of the SA government's $7.2 million commitment to develop a strategy
against illicit drugs.

It will open the door for SA to receive an additional $9.2 million in
commonwealth funding over four years.

The strategy - to be implemented over two years - also involves a
statewide drug education campaign, research into heroin trials and the
launch of a pilot drug court.