A specialised drug court could be life-changing for addicts – and the wider community. Photo: NSW Courts.
A years-long push to get better support for addicts in the Illawarra has just received a much-needed boost in support.
The call for a drug court to be established in Wollongong dates back to at least 2015, when it was hoped upgrades of Wollongong Court House would provide an opportunity to incorporate the specialised service.
The model was never adopted however, and in the intervening decade drug-related offences have only increased.
Over the past three years NSW as a whole has seen a downward trend in drug offences by 7.3 per cent per year, however the Wollongong local government area has seen an increase of 10.3 per cent per year.
Wollongong City Council Lord Mayor Tania Brown put a mayoral minute forward to support establishing a drug court in the city.
“I recommend the council write to the NSW Attorney General expressing support for establishing the drug court in Wollongong,” she said.
“I also recommend we write to the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Joint Organisation to advocate establishing the drug court for the region.
“Our courts cover residents from Kiama, Shellharbour and sometimes the Shoalhaven.
“It’s well-known our region has high rates of arrests for drug possession and an increase in drug-related crimes.
“I believe anything that helps break that cycle of recidivism and rehabilitates people is worthy of our support.”
Drug courts are part of the current judicial system of the local and district courts in NSW.
The first drug court was established at Parramatta in 1999 and there are currently three others operating: at Toronto in Newcastle, the Sydney CBD and at Dubbo.
Eligible offenders are required to go through a specialised court process, which provides them opportunities for rehabilitation while they are closely monitored.
The reoffending rate for drug court participants is about 17 per cent lower than the rate of reoffending for those not accepted into the program.
Councillor Kit Docker supported the motion.
“We know one in 20 Australians struggle with drug addiction or substance abuse,” he said.
“This motion reflects a growing body of evidence it should be treated as a health issue as well as a criminal issue.
“Reducing the likelihood of offending means fewer victims of crime and safer cities.
“It could also deliver long-term savings to taxpayers by reducing incarceration costs.”
The 2024 NSW Drug Summit recommended establishing the drug court in regional areas including Wollongong.
The Wollongong and District Law Society has long supported the push to establish a drug court in Wollongong to service the Illawarra and South Coast.
Councillor Dan Hayes said anyone with experience in the justice system could see the need for the service.
“My first job out of uni was as junior psychologist at a correctional centre,” he said.
“I saw first-hand the epidemic of drug and alcohol abuse in the justice system.
“Asking people to recover from addiction in the prison system is just not realistic. We have to do better.
“We don’t and we can’t lock up people forever, and if we want them to recover the drug court is the way to do it.”
The mayoral minute was carried unanimously.
