Updated COVID-19 health advice plus $27.9 million will be provided to expand specialist drug court to Dubbo  ​​​

The lead up to tomorrow’s 2021-22 State Budget has included the exciting news that $27.9 million will be provided to expand the specialist Drug Court to Dubbo in the state’s Orana region. This is an area which has been significantly impacted by the scourge of drug use, particularly ice.

This announcement is a welcome acknowledgment by the NSW Government that drug use needs to be addressed as a major health issue, not just a criminal justice issue. 

The Drug Court enrols eligible participants in an intensive 12-month program following referrals from the Local and District Courts. Research has consistently shown that the Drug Court is more effective than prison in reducing drug-related crime and it can also play a part in reducing domestic and family violence, family breakdown, homelessness and other social issues.

Expanding the Drug Court to Dubbo will ensure that a greater number of drug dependent offenders in the Orana region are offered the most appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. This will ultimately reduce recidivism. 

The Law Society and the Orana Law Society have publicly encouraged the expansion of the Drug Court to Dubbo and other diversionary programs for many years. We welcome the prospect of additional Government support for this therapeutic approach. This will be the state’s fourth Drug Court – with other such courts sitting in Sydney, Parramatta and Toronto.

In another win for the NSW justice system, the NSW Government has also confirmed tomorrow’s budget will include a $56.1 million funding boost over four years to appoint eight new magistrates and increase resources for prosecutors and Legal Aid.

As I have highlighted to the Attorney General Mark Speakman SC MP, on a number of occasions, additional magistrates are urgently required for Sydney’s Downing Centre, the Coroner’s Court and Local Courts at Albury, Coffs Harbour, the Central West (Orange), Illawarra (Port Kembla), and Wagga Wagga. 

This funding will bring in some much-needed resources to reduce the lengthy delays in the Local Courts, particularly in our regional areas, and we look forward to hearing more about the new appointments.

Finally, the NSW Premier has announced updated health advice over the weekend concerning the developing COVID-19 situation in our state, which is detailed in our Monday Briefs “News” section. We will continue to keep the profession updated as the situation develops via our regular “COVID-19 Update” but until then, please stay safe, remember to practise social distancing and wear masks when required.

Juliana Warner, President, the Law Society of NSW

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