SYSTEM MISSES CANNABIS KIDS

Hundreds of children have been caught by police with cannabis and only given
a written warning - meaning their parents may never know that they have been
cautioned for carrying the drug.

Figures from the Department of Justice reveal that 682 children aged 10 to
18 committed cannabis offences under the Young Offenders Act last financial
year.

Of those, 522 were given a police caution - or a written warning - and 160
were referred to a juvenile justice team.

In 2002-03, 885 young people were caught with cannabis and 716 of them got a
police caution.

The system of dealing with juveniles has raised concerns that not enough is
being doing to get those caught into treatment.

Last year, 13 children aged between 10 and 13 were caught with cannabis and
referred to the Justice Department.

Since March, adults caught with small amounts of cannabis can avoid criminal
charges if they agree to pay a fine or attend an education session.

But most of those aged under 18 caught smoking cannabis or in possession of
the drug are not compelled to attend drug treatment or counselling and do
not face fines.

Police and WA drug authorities say changes are needed to ensure that young
people, who are most at risk of harm from cannabis use, get help as early as
possible.

Department southern region director of community services Annette Wells said
that of those young people referred to a juvenile justice team, most were
referred to treatment.

She conceded that research had not been done in WA to find out if the
juvenile justice system for drug offences was working but a recent study
from NSW showed that it did. She planned to evaluate the WA system within
the next year.

WA Police Service alcohol and drug co-ordination unit education officer Sgt
Gill Wilson said changes to the system might be needed to ensure earlier
intervention and diversion of young people into treatment.

He was concerned that young people receiving cautions were missing out on
treatment.

Sgt Wilson said a study, mainly involving interviews with police who were
handing out the cautions, would begin soon to determine if changes were
needed. "I think we can do better," he said. "We can intervene at a much
earlier stage."

One possible change was to scrap police cautions and refer every young
offender to the Justice Department for counselling services.

Drug and Alcohol Office acting executive director Steve Allsop said it was
important to get as many young people into treatment as possible.