Drug court is set to expand its operations from one day a week to full-time by early 2024
The Law Society of New South Wales has welcomed the planned expansion of the Downing Centre Drug Court in Sydney's CBD.
The drug court is set to expand its operations from one day a week to full-time by early 2024. The Law Society said that expanding Sydney’s drug court represents a solid beginning to further reforms to divert more people from the criminal justice system in appropriate cases.
Law Society president Cassandra Banks welcomed this announcement. “The Law Society has long advocated for wider availability of programs that divert suitable offenders from the criminal justice system, so the underlying causes of their offending can be addressed,” Banks said.
Banks further said that numerous studies have shown that the drug court program is more effective than prison sentences in reducing the likelihood of reoffending. “Diversionary programs, like the drug court, make more sense than locking people up with limited means of assisting them to tackle the issues that led to their offending,” Banks added.
The drug court deals with offenders charged with relatively serious offences. Following a guilty plea, offenders are remanded in custody to complete mandatory detoxification and assessment. A suspended prison sentence is imposed. This allows the offender to complete a tailored treatment program.
Banks pointed out that this approach not only makes communities safer by reducing reoffending rates but also saves taxpayers' money by lowering the cost of incarceration. Banks also said that the process holds the offender to account for their actions and provides them with a real opportunity to rebuild their lives.
“As a regional legal practitioner, I’ve seen the damage drug dependency can cause to individuals and the community,” Banks said. “Failure to address drug use as an underlying cause of offending can entrench health problems, harm family relationships and prevent those affected from finding or keeping a job.”
Banks emphasized that one of her priorities for this year is to advocate for greater access to diversion from the criminal justice system for vulnerable cohorts. She encouraged the government to closely consider expanding the availability of drug courts in other parts of the state, including existing courts operating at Parramatta, Dubbo, and in the Hunter.
