System misses cannabis kids
WENDY PRYER
Hundreds of children have been caught by police with cannabis and only given a written warning - meaning their parents may never know that they have been cautioned for carrying the drug.
Figures from the Department of Justice reveal that 682 children aged 10 to 18 committed cannabis offences under the Young Offenders Act last financial year.
Of those, 522 were given a police caution - or a written warning - and 160 were referred to a juvenile justice team.
In 2002-03, 885 young people were caught with cannabis and 716 of them got a police caution.
The system of dealing with juveniles has raised concerns that not enough is being doing to get those caught into treatment.
Last year, 13 children aged between 10 and 13 were caught with cannabis and referred to the Justice Department.
Since March, adults caught with small amounts of cannabis can avoid criminal charges if they agree to pay a fine or attend an education session.
But most of those aged under 18 caught smoking cannabis or in possession of the drug are not compelled to attend drug treatment or counselling and do not face fines.
Police and WA drug authorities say changes are needed to ensure that young people, who are most at risk of harm from cannabis use, get help as early as possible.
Department southern region director of community services Annette Wells said that of those young people referred to a juvenile justice team, most were referred to treatment.
She conceded that research had not been done in WA to find out if the juvenile justice system for drug offences was working but a recent study from NSW showed that it did. She planned to evaluate the WA system within the next year.
WA Police Service alcohol and drug co-ordination unit education officer Sgt Gill Wilson said changes to the system might be needed to ensure earlier intervention and diversion of young people into treatment.
He was concerned that young people receiving cautions were missing out on treatment.
Sgt Wilson said a study, mainly involving interviews with police who were handing out the cautions, would begin soon to determine if changes were needed. "I think we can do better," he said. "We can intervene at a much earlier stage."
One possible change was to scrap police cautions and refer every young offender to the Justice Department for counselling services.
Drug and Alcohol Office acting executive director Steve Allsop said it was important to get as many young people into treatment as possible.
© 2004 West Australian Newspapers Limited
All Rights Reserved.
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