NEW ALLIES GIVE DRUG USERS ANOTHER PATH

Early on a cold morning this week, a group of police and welfare workers
came together over biscuits and a cup of coffee at a local police station.

With smiles of satisfaction they watched Police Minister Andre Haermeyer
hand over a $100,000 cheque to fund an unusual diversionary program.

Collaboration, Care and Innovation, operating in the City of Yarra, has
police actively involved in referring non-violent drug offenders to outreach
services when released from police custody.

For perhaps the first time, police are working with welfare workers.

"Historically you had an 'us and them' mentality," Outreach worker Kerri
Jackson says. "I knew it wasn't going to be easy in terms of working
together with the police on the same issue ... I thought we'd be pushing
shit up hill for a long time but I was absolutely blown away in terms of how
positive they (police) are."

Cops are cops. Their role is to police, arrest and charge those offending
against society. But these days the hard line is blurring a little, says
Senior Sergeant Brian Hillier, of Collingwood Police. "It's looking at the
problem behind the problem. The real cause of it (the offence) is the
person's addiction to drugs," Senior Sergeant Hillier says.

Accommodation, health services, access to Centrelink, legal advice and
support at subsequent court hearings are part of the service, says Turning
Point Outreach worker and program coordinator Paul O'Sullivan.

Since the program began in November last year, 250 people have been
diverted, with about 36 per cent of those referrals coming from police in
Collingwood, Richmond and Fitzroy, about 90 people. "Often they refer people
not being charged," Mr O'Sullivan says.

One young woman drug user was referred because she was a victim of domestic
violence and wanted to leave and go on a methadone program, he says.

"It's not going to be a quick-fix, (but) I would like to think that within
two to three years we'll start to notice a number of people who have given
up the drugs and are not reoffending," Senior Sergeant Hillier says.

"I see it as having a real chance at success but it will take time,
commitment and dedication."