A new report analyses drug diversion treatment episodes and confirms what Youth AOD workers have long known.
Alcohol and other drug treatment and diversion from the Australian criminal justice system 2012-13 looks at programs aimed at directing people who have been apprehended or sentenced with a minor drugs offence away from the criminal justice system.
The report has found 1 in 4 clients who received AOD treatment were diverted from the criminal justice system. Furthermore drug diversion episodes have more than doubled in the last 10 years.
Youth AOD workers have long backed themselves to engage early and divert young people away from crime and towards things that they care about.
The findings in this report highlight a growing understanding within the criminal justice system that enlisting the support of Youth AOD workers is a key ingredient in preventing young people with minor drug offences from reoffending. You can read the full report here.
Learn more about youth drug diversion here and check out this video Youth Diversion Works that tells the story of two young people who have experienced youth drug diversion first hand.
