NEW CITY HEROIN TRIAL

Victoria's controversial illicit drug user trial was yesterday quietly
extended into more Melbourne suburbs - including Footscray,
Williamstown, Altona, Melton and Sunshine - as police and drug
agencies sought to bolster the experimental project.

The drug diversion pilot program, under which novice hard-drug users
receive warnings and treatment rather than being charged, began in the
Broadmeadows area three months ago.

It has been expanded as few of the drug offenders picked up were
eligible to participate.

Under the program, people without prior convictions for drug crimes
who are caught with small quantities of illicit drugs other than
cannabis, have the option of receiving a police caution and being
referred to a compulsory assessment for an appropriate treatment program.

But possession remains an offence, and those who do not comply with
their treatment program will be charged.

Acting Chief Inspector Steve James, from the policy and strategic
development department, said the pilot program was extended from
yesterday to also include J district, which takes in suburbs such as
Footscray, Sunshine, Werribee and Altona.

Mr James said that only a small number of people caught with hard
drugs in the Broadmeadows region were eligible for the pilot. Most had
previously been found guilty of drug offences.

``The major reason for expanding into J district starting today ...
would be to give a more representative sample that we can look at to
test the system,'' Mr James told The Age yesterday.

``The criteria that we're using is looking at early diversion, so
people who have prior drug convictions are not suitable for diversion
into this system.''

He said the small number of people who had passed through the program
had so far not been caught reoffending. Most of the participants have
been caught with heroin.

Mr James said all those given the option of participating in the pilot
had agreed to.

``They've all accepted it and they've all attended for assessment and
whatever the treatment has been for that particular individual. So
they've all followed through, which is good,'' he said.

``The people that have gone through the system have been able to
access services very quickly. One particular person left the police
station at 2.30 in the morning and was before a specialist drug
counsellor at 2 o'clock that afternoon.

``In terms of accessible services I don't think you could get much
better than that.''

The pilot will run until 1May next year and be evaluated independently
by an external agency.

Mr James said the evaluation would consider whether the program should
be extended across the state.

The assessment might also consider widening the cautioning and
referral program to include those with only one or two convictions for
drug offences.

Many of the drug users who have participated in the pilot program have
been referred to the Youth Substance Abuse Service for assessment and
treatment. It assists users aged 12 to 21.

The chief executive of the service, Mr Paul McDonald, yesterday
applauded the police for expanding the program.

``Putting it in areas where there is possibly a higher level of
population coming in and going out, such as the Footscray area, may be
able to put the project a lot better to the test has been done up to
now,'' Mr McDonald said.

``I'm very pleased the police have been able to back this idea ... the
widening of this reflects I think, the commitment towards trying to
make more constructive pathways for people caught up in illicit drug
use.''

He said the service had recently dealt with two youths as part of the
program.

The two, who at the time were nearing the end of their school year,
were caught in a disused flat where they were smoking heroin.

Mr McDonald said smoking heroin could lead to injecting, then onto
addiction. He said those who had been referred to the service by
police had been positive about their experience.

``Early indications have showed that people have welcomed the
opportunity, and we've been able to introduce them to a wider range of
services and responses than they thought was available,'' he said.

When the pilot program was announced in July, both the Premier, Mr
Jeff Kennett, and the police commissioner, Mr Neil Comrie, emphasised
that it did not equal decriminalisation.

HOW VICTORIA HAS TACKLED THE DRUG PROBLEM...

1) March 1996

The Premier's Drug Advisory Council, headed by Professor
David Peningon advises that:

- - The use and possession of a small quantity of marijuana, 25 grams,
should no longer be an offence.

- - Cultivation of up to five cannabis plants per household for personal
use should no longer be an offence.

- - Use and possession of heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and other
illicit substances should remain an offence, but with a caution for a
first offence and referral to a drug assessment and treatment service.

2) June 1996

After Professor Penington addresses State Parliament. the
Government rejects proposal to decriminalise marijuana but promises to
emphasise treatment rather than punishment of first-time drug users.

3) July 1997

Victoria Police begins a six-month trial in the
Broadmeadows area in which first-time offenders caught with small
amounts of cannabis are cautioned rather than charged. The users were
also supplied with information about the health and legal
ramifications of cannabis use.

4) July 1998

The Premier, Mr Jeff Kennett, and police commissioner, Mr
Neil Comrie, announce that the cannabis trial will extend across the
state with the aim of diverting low-level cannabis users away from the
courts to health services. It is available only to people with no drug
offence history and with less than 50 grams of cannabis for personal
use.

5) 1 September 1998

A pilot program begins in the police district centred at Broadmeadows,
under which people never found guilty of drug offences but caught with
small quantities of drugs - such as heroin and speed - are cautioned
by police and referred to drug rehabilitation agencies for compulsory
treatment.

6) 1 December 1998

The Broadmeadows program is extended to the neighboring police region,
J district, which covers an area including Footscray, Williamstown,
Werribee and Melton.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry