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Our Police and Court Drug Diversion Service programs divert people arrested and/or charged with drug or alcohol related offences out of the judicial system into the health system.

We offer pre-court, pre-sentence and sentencing diversion options for people arrested for alcohol and other drug related offences in the ACT.

About this service

Our programs provide alcohol and other drug assessments following referral by ACT Policing and the ACT Courts.

We:

  • help to work out an achievable treatment plan that is right for you
  • provide support and case management during your involvement with the legal system.
  • can refer you to approved treatment services in the ACT and interstate, including other Alcohol and Drug Services’ programs, if needed.

We run a number of services which are listed below.

Youth Alcohol Diversion

We run the Youth Alcohol Diversion initiative in conjunction with ACT Policing. Youth Alcohol Diversion provides alcohol and other drug education, referral and treatment to young people aged under 18 years with underage drinking offences.

Adult Alcohol Diversion

Adult Alcohol Diversion is run in conjunction with ACT Policing. The program supports intoxicated adults who may need alcohol and other drug assessment and referral to treatment. This is a voluntary program and there are no legal consequences associated with these referrals.

Illicit Drug Diversion

The Illicit Drug Diversion helps people who have been apprehended by the Police for possession of small amounts of illicit drugs (or legal drugs used illicitly). Police may divert these people to our service for assessment, education and/or treatment, with compliance resulting no conviction recorded on their criminal record.

Court Alcohol and Drug Assessment Service

The Court Alcohol and Drug Assessment Service (CADAS) is a scheme in use in the ACT Courts. Under the scheme:

  • people are assessed for alcohol and other drug use concerns
  • treatment plans are recommended, and
  • our case managers support them to access treatment services during their court proceedings.

The goals of this service are to reduce reoffending and to help the person get access to treatment.

Our case managers monitor attendance and report all outcomes to the courts. Non-compliance does not necessarily result in a penalty but is considered by the Magistrate at sentencing.

Alcohol Interlock Program

The Alcohol Interlock Program requires:

  • people charged with a high range drink driving offence, or
  • who have had more than two drink driving offences in previous 5 years, or
  • who refuse a breath test

to complete an assessment with our Court Alcohol and Drug Assessment Service before their matters can be finalized. The Court Alcohol and Drug Assessment Service offers counselling for people in this program, as well as referral to other treatment options as required.

Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List

The Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List sits within the ACT Supreme Court. It provides an opportunity for suitable participants to serve their custodial sentence in the community, under a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order. The initial eligibility criteria are:

  • The referred person is 18 years of age or older
  • The referred person was dependent on a substance at the time of their offending
  • The substance use was related to the offending
  • The referred person is liable to receive a one to four-year custodial sentence
  • The referred person enters a plea of guilty to all charges
  • The referred person is willing to engage in treatment deemed appropriate to their circumstances and community-based supervision.

The Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List is made up of a multi-agency support team. Our role is to provide alcohol and other drug screening, assessment, treatment matching and planning, referral, case management, court attendance and counselling.

Who we care for

We care for people who are either apprehended or charged with an alcohol and/or drug related offence.

How to access this service

People are referred to our services in the following ways:

  • Police Drug Diversion Clients: referred by ACT Policing
  • Court Alcohol and Drug Assessment Service clients: referred by the Magistrate or Judge only (in ACT Courts), but anyone can ask the Magistrate or Judge to refer them.
  • Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List clients: referred by the ACT Courts only. If you think this may be a suitable sentencing option, you should seek advice from your legal representative about referral to the program.

You can find out more by contacting the Police Court Drug Diversion Service Intake line on (02) 5124 3285.

What to bring to your appointment

  • Medicare card
  • Any letters or correspondence from your GP
  • Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)

Where we’re located

City Health Centre, Level 1, 1 Moore Street, Canberra City, ACT.

Monday to Friday 08.30am – 5.00pm (excluding public holidays).

We have directions and transport information for this service.

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In the case of a life threatening emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).

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Contact us

Switchboard Canberra Hospital
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

Switchboard North Canberra Hospital
(02) 6201 6111

International callers
+61 (2) 6201 6111

Switchboard other hospitals and services
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

The switchboard handles all calls to, from and within the hospital 24 hours/seven days a week