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THE HON CHRISTOPHER PYNE MP

Former Minister for Ageing

$165 million for Drug Diversion Initiative

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New funding of more than $165 million will ensure that the National Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative will continue till 2010-11.

PDF printable version of $165 million for Drug Diversion Initiative (PDF 35 KB)

28 September 2007
CP108/07

New funding of more than $165 million would ensure that the National Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative (IDDI) continued until 2010-11, the Minister for Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said today.

To be eligible for this new funding, all IDDI programs will need to be consistent with a range of key principles. They include:

  • To be eligible for diversion, offenders must admit responsibility for their actions.
  • Violent or serious offenders cannot be eligible for diversion.
  • Eligible offenders must be assessed to determine whether they enter a treatment program or an education program.
  • Strict consequences apply to offenders who do not comply with program requirements. Appropriate monitoring and enforcement should be provided.
“Today’s funding announcement reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to ensuring people with drug problems are given every opportunity to get help,” Mr Pyne said.

“While IDDI has seen some excellent results, there is always room to improve. For IDDI to move forward, I firmly believe that we need a strong and unambiguous philosophy underpinning its implementation across Australia.”

IDDI currently funds a range of programs that divert drug offenders from the criminal justice system into assessment, treatment and education. It forms a central part of the Australian Government’s Tough on Drugs strategy which has now seen almost $1.6 billion committed since its introduction in 1997.

“Because illicit drug users form a large proportion of the people coming to the attention of police and the courts, IDDI provides an important gateway to rehabilitation for many people with drug problems,” Mr Pyne said.

“Diversion programs have been proven to be effective in breaking the criminal cycle associated with illicit drug use. By encouraging defendants to tackle their drug problems early, we are reducing the motivation behind their criminal activity.”

IDDI treatment and education services operate in every state and territory, and to date more than 108,000 people have passed through its programs since IDDI’s inception in 1999.

“I commend the police, treatment providers, magistrates and court personnel who continue to contribute to the success of IDDI,” Mr Pyne said.

“I am committed to working with the states and territories to improve this important initiative and ensure we are building on the strengths and addressing the weaknesses in the current model.”

Media contact: Adam Howard 0400 414 833

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