The Attorney-General has announced that the ACT’s first Drug and Alcohol Court is to begin operating this year.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the beginning of the 2019 legal year, Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said people with a drug or alcohol dependence were more likely to end up in the justice system, and needed support to address their addictions and reduce their offending behaviour.
Mr Ramsay said the new court would engage high-risk, high-needs offenders whose criminal activity was associated with a drug or alcohol dependence.
“Substance abuse has a strong link to criminal offending, and evidence suggests drug courts are effective at reducing both reoffending and substance abuse,” Mr Ramsay said.
“The ACT Government…will also consider changes to improve the accessibility, timeliness and transparency of the coronial process for families involved.”
He said his Department would also be progressing additional criminal law reforms to create an offence for failing to report child sexual abuse.
“In addition to significant law reform, work continues to finalise the new ACT Law Courts precinct, with the upgrade scheduled for completion by the end of the year,” Mr Ramsay said.
“The brand new court facilities bring court services into the 21st century, while honouring the heritage features of the original design.”
He said providing the ACT with a justice system that brought together human rights and meaningful access to justice was a challenge, but it was enormously valuable and rewarding work.
