ONLY THREE IN WA TOOK PART IN DRUG TRIAL

A WA trial under which people caught with heroin, amphetamines and other
illicit drugs were sent to counselling instead of being charged by police
was expanded Statewide after a national study that looked at the experiences
of only three WA offenders.

Premier Geoff Gallop vowed yesterday to scrap the new police policy, which
began on January 1, if it was shown it did not work.

Investigations by The West Australian have revealed the trial was expanded
across the State in January without Cabinet approval, despite any evidence
that it had been a success.

A national evaluation of the drug diversion trial, supported by the
Commonwealth and all States and Territories at the end of 2000, was carried
out in 2002.

It looked at a six-month period, from July to December 2001.

But during that time, only three people went through the WA trial.

Since becoming formal police policy this year, 32 people caught with small
amounts of illicit drugs, mainly amphetamine-like substances such as speed
and ecstasy, have been divertd to counselling and 19 have completed the
program.. The remainder are in the system.

Under the policy, first-time offenders who admit their guilt, have not
committed any other offences ahd have less than 0.5g of heroin or
amphetamines or no more than two ecstasy tablets, can opt for three
counselling sessions instead of being charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Dr Gallop could not explain yesterday on what basis the controversial trial
was expanded.

However, he said that he was unhappy it was not brought to the attention of
Cabinet by the relevent minister, Health Minister Jim McGinty, and that
there should have been a public announcement.

Drug and Alcohol Office acting executive director Steve Allsop said
yesterday the policy would be evaluated by the end of the year.

Because such a small number of people were involved in the trial, a thorough
analysis of the results could not be carried out until it had been expanded.

He confirmed that the decision to expand it was made at a departmental level
as part of the Commonwealth-State agreement on illicit drugs that began four
years ago.

Also yesterday, the State Opposition said the Government had failed to act
to ensure young people caught with cannabis were forced into treatment.

Department of Justice figures reveal that the vast majority of people aged
between 10 and 18 are given only a police warning.

Shadow justice minister Sue Roberts said the Government had gagged debate on
its controversial cannabis legislation when the Liberal Party warned it
would encourage more young people to use cannabis.

She said young people were getting away with a slap on the wrist under the
Young Offenders Act.