New drug court for CBD

By Melissa Chung 

The State Government has launched a new $32 million Drug Court in the heart of CBD as Stage 2 of the Ice Action Plan established in 2015.

The Melbourne Drug Court offers opportunities for 170 ice users to combat their drug dependency instead of direct imprisonment that often leads to more re-offending.

“The lack of effective sentencing options for serious drug related offences has resulted in increased imprisonment rates, increased re-offending and a failure to address the underlying causes of addiction,” said Attorney-General Martin Pakula.

The new court was created after the success of Dandenong Drug Court, which has proven its success in reducing the two-year recidivism rate – 34 per cent lower than the mainstream justice system.

The government says it has delivered more than $100 million to expand drug treatment services, family support and additional resources for Victorian Police through its Ice Action Plan.