The number of drug users who have to appear in court for cocaine ownership has fallen sharply since the NSW Labor government has given the police more discretion in this area.
Thanks to the early drug Diversion Initiative, the police on the spot criminal infringement was able to issue notices (fines of $ 400) to adults for personal drug use and small amounts of drug possession.
New data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has shown that between March and September last year-the first available period since the start of the EDDI scheme-521 people had to appear to court for cocaine ownership.
This was a decrease of 23 percent compared to the 984 that had to appear in court in the previous seven -month period.
In the month before the Eddi was introduced, 99 percent of those caught in the possession of cocaine were taken to court.
'The early drug Diversion Initiative offers the police a different way to tackle low drug possession' Police Minister NSW Yasmin Catley told Daily Mail Australia in a statement.
'I want to make it clear that the application of the regulation is for the assessment of the police. A number of factors are taken into account when the decision to issue an infringement or to submit an indictment. '
Mrs. Catley said that if someone receives a violation notification, he or she 'can choose to pay a fine or complete a customized health interventory session.
The number of drug users who have to appear in court for cocaine ownership has fallen sharply since the NSW Labor government has given the police more discretion in this area. On the photo: a woman arrested as part of a 'dial-a dealer' promotion.
“This helps to reduce the chance of recidivism, takes the pressure away from the courts and ensures that the police can use more resources for tackling crime.”
But, she added, “Make no mistake: drugs are illegal and cause widespread damage in our community …”
“The police continue to work hard every day to tackle drug -related crime and to remove illegal substances from our streets.”
Thanks to the EDDI program, the NSW NSW police also has the authority to issue CINs for the possession of MDMA (Ecstasy), heroin and methamphetamine (ice cream).
In order to be able to use this authority, the drug user must meet strict criteria.
This includes, among other things, the possession of only one type of drug, where the police are convinced that the drugs are for personal use and that the amount of drugs does not exceed a certain amount.
Thanks to the early drug Diversion Initiative, the police can issue criminal infringement notifications (fines of $ 400) to adults for personal drug use and small amounts of drug possession.
If the offender receives a fine of $ 400, he or she can pay it or talk to a doctor or caregiver about his drug use, in which case the fine is deleted.
However, the system does not always work for an individual. One person can only get a cin for drug possession twice.
If they are caught in a third violation for the possession of drugs, they would have to appear in court.
Although the NSW police have imposed hundreds of fines for cocaine ownership, those caught with other drugs, such as heroin, still end up in court.
When the Eddi was introduced, Ryan Park Minister of Health said: 'Drug use and dependence are highly health issues and they can be tackled much better through health care support outside the courts and the criminal justice system.
“This is a evidence -based approach that is in line with the expectations of the community.”
Attorney General Michael Daley added: 'Formal contact with the criminal justice system only increases the chance of recidivism.
'And this has domino effects on employment, their housing and their relationships of people.
“We want people to get the health care they need, instead of becoming entangled in the criminal justice system.”
