Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 Source: Australian Associated Press (Australia) Copyright: 2000 Australian Associated Press REHAB INSTEAD OF COURT FOR DRUG USERS South Australian police will have the power to divert drug users into rehabilitation as an alternative to prosecution under planned new laws. The proposed laws will allow first-time offenders who are caught with small quantities of illicit drugs to enter a treatment and rehabilitation program instead of being prosecuted. Premier John Olsen said the move gave police further powers to make value judgments about how to best manage the illicit drug trade and rehabilitate drug users. Mr Olsen said the drug diversion laws would keep drug users out of the court system and prevent them from developing a life dependent on drugs and crime. 'What we hope to attempt to achieve is a diversion of people who have become involved early in the drug trade and give them the option of moving to a rehabilitation program,' Mr Olsen told reporters. 'We think that's important because if people become involved in the drug trade, if they're not diverted, if they're not rehabilitated, they can become long-term drug users and abusers,' he said. 'What we're wanting to do is, in an enlightened way, give the police the power - with the concurrence of the offender - to undertake a rehabilitation course rather than prosecution.' Police will make appointments for people to attend a drug assessment and treatment service, using a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week appointment scheduling service. If the person fails to undertake the treatment program, police have an option to prosecute. Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Taggart, from the SA Police drug and alcohol policy section, said the move would not mean more work for police. 'We certainly see it as a very positive and progressive move in the fight against illicit drug use,' he said. The legislation - still to be passed in State Parliament - forms part of the SA government's $7.2 million commitment to develop a strategy against illicit drugs. It will open the door for SA to receive an additional $9.2 million in commonwealth funding over four years. The strategy - to be implemented over two years - also involves a statewide drug education campaign, research into heroin trials and the launch of a pilot drug court. - --- MAP posted-by: greg