Information and Progress Report on the First Year's Operation Initial Findings (December 1979 to November 1980) - Pilot Project Stage 1, Central Court of Petty Sessions

• NCJ Number: 93639
• Author(s): R Bush
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 19 pages
• Corporate Author: Michigan Office of Criminal Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This analysis and report on the progress of New South Wale's (Australia) Drug and Alcohol Court Assessment Program (DACAP) indicate that it has taken steps toward meeting its objectives of assisting the courts in sentencing drug offenders, providing services to the drug user, and producing research data to assist in the development of assessment and diversion schemes.

Abstract

The planning for DACAP began as an effort to remedy the deficiencies of a previous drug diversion program in New South Wales that had failed to meet expectations. DACAP was developed as a presentence diversion program. In DACAP, an offender who has been convicted but not yet sentenced is remanded for 3 weeks with a bail condition to attend a clinic for assessment. Urine samples are taken, and a medical examination with necessary pathology and other tests are performed. The assessment also includes an examination of the offender's background, present circumstances, drug use patterns, and other relevant factors. A feedback session is held with the offender, and intervention options are discussed and facilitated, if accepted by the offender. A report is developed for court presentation, with specific recommendations for sentencing offered where possible. During DACAP's first year of operation, about 10 street drug offenders per month were referred for assessment and report. The rate of referrals remained constant throughout the year, perhaps indicating the courts' satisfaction with and willingness to use the program. In working toward its objective of providing information to the courts to assist in sentencing, the DACAP completed and presented reports on 62 percent of its referrals, including recommendations for a course of future action. Usually the courts' sentencing action provided for the recommended intervention. In its effort to meet the second objective of providing needed services to drug users, interventions included detoxification, residential programs, pathology and psychiatric services, and outpatient services. In working toward the third objective of producing research to assist in the development of assessment and diversion schemes, information was developed on the broad characteristics of the drug offenders referred. This information along with three case studies is included. Recommendations are offered for the future development of DACAP, and tabular data are provided.