Program helps to overcome addiction

"We want to divert people out of the criminal justice system into early medical assessment and treatment." Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro Source: The Advertiser

SA Drug and Alcohol Services helped 3071 low-level drug users avoid prison sentences and equipped them to beat dependency last financial year.

Under the drug diversion program those referred by police or courts increased from 2546 in the previous 12 months. The program provided low-level users valuable lessons on the risks in illegal drug taking - and a chance to change their lives.

SA Drug and Alcohol Services director Dr Robert Ali said the program was particularly effective for people concerned about the heath implications of drug use.

"It's another way of going to people who are thinking about stopping drugs and can get those people an appointment with an expert," he said. "We want to divert people out of the criminal justice system in to early medical assessment and treatment," he said.

Participants are regularly drug tested and those found using illegal drugs can be dropped from the program. In total, 37 per cent dropped out last year for a variety of reasons.

Dr Ali said successes far outweighed the disappointments, especially when participants complete the program.

"It's about having their friends and family and their broader social network see this as an opportunity to get help," he said.

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Program helps to overcome addiction