NCJ Number
53521
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: (FALL 1977) Pages: 377-384
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF AUSTRALIA'S COURT-BASED REFERRAL PROGRAMS FOR DRUNK DRIVERS, PUBLIC INEBRIATES, AND DRUG ABUSERS IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON COURT REFERRAL OF DRINKING DRIVERS TO PROGRAMS OF TREATMENT, REHABILITATION, AND EDUCATION. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO NEW SOUTH WALES' COURT-REFERRAL PROGRAM, WHICH IS AUSTRALIA'S MOST EXTENSIVE AND WHICH RELIES HEAVILY ON AMERICAN MODELS OF COURT REFERRAL. REASONS FOR THE LIMITED USE OF COURT REFERRALS FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS AND DRUG ABUSE ARE CONSIDERED, INCLUDING THE GENERAL UNCERTAINTY ABOUT WHAT REALLY SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT ALCOHOLISM AND ADDICTION. IN GENERAL, CAUTION IS ADVISED IN EXPANDING COURT-REFERRAL SCHEMES FOR ALCOHOLIC AND DRUG-DEPENDENT PERSONS. THE NEED TO IDENTIFY THE TRUE PROBLEM DRINKERS AMONG DRUNK DRIVERS AND TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN SKID ROW INEBRIATES AND OTHER TYPES OF ALCOHOLICS AND BETWEEN MARIHUANA USERS AND USERS OF OTHER TYPES OF DRUGS IS EMPHASIZED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT COURT-REFERRAL SCHEMES ARE AN UNSATISFACTORY COMPROMISE FOR SITUATIONS IN WHICH LEGALIZATION IS THE MOST SUITABLE APPROACH. THE POTENTIAL OF SOME REFERRAL PROGRAMS TO PERPETUATE INAPPROPRIATE APPROACHES TO DEALING WITH BEHAVIOR THAT IS MERELY OFFENSIVE TO THE SENSIBILITIES OF SOME MEMBERS OF SOCIETY IS NOTED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT, IDEALLY, COURT-BASED PROGRAMS FOR ALCOHOLICS AND DRUG-DEPENDENT PERSONS WOULD EXIST ONLY FOR SUCH PERSONS WHO COME INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THROUGH THEIR COMMISSION OF OTHER CRIMES. GREATER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN REGULATING EXCESSIVE USE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS IS SAID TO OFFER THE MOST PROMISING LONG-TERM APPROACH TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)