ADDICTS TO GET THE PERSONAL TOUCH

POLICE will personally make rehabilitation appointments for drug addicts
after arresting them for possession under a new strategy.

Officers will contact a 24-hour hotline and book a consultation for the drug
user at an assessment centre.

If the person attends the appointment and subsequent treatment, their
offence will be expiated.

However, if the rehabilitation program is not followed, the criminal charges
will be enforced.

"As a result of the program we would expect faster treatment of more people
with drug dependencies," the officer in charge of the Strategy and Support
Branch, Detective Superintendent Denis Edmonds, said.

"In turn this would reduce associated crime, such as housebreaking offences
and other crimes drug users undertake to support their addiction.

"The strategy is also aimed at reducing demand for hard drugs by reducing
the size of the dealer's client group."

The initiative is part of the national Tough On Drugs campaign of the Prime
Minister, Mr Howard, and will be introduced within six months. It will be
the first of its type in Australia and is expected to increase the number of
drug addicts receiving treatment.

Detective Superintendent Edmonds said anecdotal evidence from officers who
dealt daily with addicts revealed if treatment was readily available, some
would take up the option.

"Under the new strategy we envisage police officers being able to call a
24-hour hotline to book in the drug user at an assessment centre," he said.
"If the offender complies with the booking and treatment their offence will
be expiated."

Changes to legislation in the Controlled Substances and Summary Offences
Acts will need to be made to accommodate the new program.

The Premier, Mr Olsen, said it was one of a range of initiatives being
considered. "It is part of the broader drug strategy to tackle the drug
problem and also focus on rehabilitation," he said.

Offenders caught with large amounts of drugs for dealing would still face
court.

Currently people caught and identified as drug users are referred to the
Drug Aid and Assessment Panel. It then takes about 16 weeks for them to
receive treatment at an assessment centre.