Govt recommits to drug diversion program
Posted Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:36pm AEST
The Federal Government will continue funding programs that divert drug offenders away from the courts and into treatment until 2011.
The Minister responsible for illicit drugs, Christopher Pyne, says $165 million will be given to the National Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative.
State and territory drug diversion programs will also be able to use the money but Mr Pyne says the programs will have to meet certain criteria.
"We're going to continue the diversion program. We think it's a very important part of out overall campaign," he said.
"But we do think it needs to be tightened up and run more effectively by the states and territories."
Mr Pyne also announced almost $30 million for 87 services Australia wide treating people with drug, alcohol and mental health problems with each eligible for grants of $500,000.
"We find that in the non-government organisation sector they have enormous wells of good will but not necessarily the capacity or the skills, and they admit that themselves, to deal with the kind of people that turn up to their treatment and rehabilitation centres," he said.
