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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-08-30 Daily Xml
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Correctional Facilities Drug Treatment Programs

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:59): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney a question about drug rehabilitation programs.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: It is no secret that we have, for some time now, experienced a drug pandemic in this jurisdiction, the likes of which the rest of Australia hasn't actually seen. This is highlighted no better than in the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program which has historically shone a blowtorch on SA's disturbing track record. Its most recent report, its 19th, found Adelaide was the methamphetamine capital of Australia and was second nationally in the consumption of cannabis. Not to be outdone, regional South Australia ranked first nationally in excretion of MDMA and second in the consumption of methamphetamines and nicotine.

Successive governments have promised to improve programs to tackle this issue. There are a number of programs which have been promised over years in our adult correctional facilities and indeed in our youth facilities. My questions to the Attorney are:

1. What are the current wait times for adults to access these drug treatment programs in our corrections system?

2. Why is it that someone in detention cannot access programs until sentencing, by which time they may have already served all of their sentence?

3. Is the Attorney committed to reviewing eligibility for access to such programs for people in detention?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for her question. Certainly, throughout the criminal justice system there are a number of ways that the criminal justice system seeks to deal with people who have drug problems or drug habits, including drug diversion programs that have been successful and have been around for many years under governments of both persuasions in South Australia.

In relation to programs that people can avail themselves of while in custody, I am going to have to refer that to my colleague the Minister for Correctional Services, the Hon. Joe Szakacs, member for Cheltenham, to bring back a reply. I don't have details of what qualifies someone while they are in custody, whether on remand or as a sentenced prisoner, but I am happy to refer those and bring back a reply.

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