Project Title:

Police Drug Diversion Liaison Project

This program assists Aboriginal people who have been charged by the police with possession of small amounts of illegal drugs.  As an alternative to going to court and being fined and getting a criminal record, the person charged can elect to be diverted – to attend at AQDAC for and assessment and if they want other help we can put them in touch with counselling or treatment services.

Research about Aboriginal people and diversion shows that in the past they have not been very successful in accessing these sorts of programs.  So ADAC decided to look at what causes this and to do something about it.  Not understanding what diversion was and what benefits it offered, lack of a postal address or telephone, lack of transport, difficulty in keeping appointments and distrust of ‘the system’ were all identified as barriers.

Now ADAC can conduct the assessments for Aboriginal people diverted under this new program.  ADAC is a registered Assessor for the Police Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative - our assessor has been working with diversion programs for the last 10 years.   

We offer much more than just an Assessment.

• We go to the person and explain what the diversion is all about. 
• We can help with transport to make sure people make their appointments.
• We can link people to other services – treatment and other forms of assistance.
• We can also help other assessors with Aboriginal clients by providing these services for other assessors.

Who can ADAC assist?

• Young people under 18 years of age charged simple possession of cannabis and other illicit drugs such as speed and heroin
• People over 18 charged with simple possession of illicit drugs other than cannabis eg speed, heroin, ecstasy, etc.

What does ADAC offer?

• Assessments and brief interventions for Aboriginal people
• Assistance for clients to access treatment and other help they may need
• Transport, referrals, resources.
• Assistance for other assessors with Aboriginal clients.

How does it work?

Once a police officer identifies an alleged offender as Aboriginal, they are advised that they can be referred to assessment by an Aboriginal organization.
If they agree to that the Police Officer will notify the Drug Diversion Line (DDL)
The Drug Diversion Line will then send ADAC the details of the diversion.
ADAC will make contact with the person.  Our Diversion Liaison Worker can visit the person at home, explain what diversion means, tell them about the advantages of the scheme and can even provide transport to get to an appointment.
ADAC can provide assessments and brief interventions.  We have a range of culturally appropriate education and information materials.
We also have good networks with other Aboriginal and mainstream service providers.
We can follow a person through and assist them as they access other services – we can provide transport, advocacy and continuing support as they benefit from detoxification, counselling or rehabilitation.

Project Contacts

Andrew Biven
Special Projects Officer
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc.
53 King William Street
Kent Town, SA, 5068
Ph: +61 (08) 8362 0395
Email: andrewb@adac.org.au

Byron Wright
Project Officer
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc.
53 King William Street
Kent Town, SA, 5068
Ph: +61 (08) 8362 0395
Email: byron@adac.org.au

Trevor Wilson
Project Officer
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc.
53 King William Street
Kent Town, SA, 5068
Ph: +61 (08) 8362 0395
Email: trevor@adac.org.au