Still no Geelong drug court after eight years
WESTERN Victorian MP Bev McArthur has demanded the state government explain why Geelong does not have a dedicated drug court nearly eight years after a parliamentary inquiry recommended it.
A 2014 parliamentary inquiry recommended authorities investigate creating a drug court in Geelong to address the scourge of drugs in the community.
Mrs McArthur said other areas including Dandenong, Melbourne, Ballarat and Shepparton had or would be getting a funded specialist court, while Geelong remained without.
Mrs McArthur told Victoria parliament this week the impact of drugs on the greater Geelong community was devastating.
“There is now a significant problem with drug-related crime in Geelong, Colac and surrounding areas, involving particularly the use of ice.
“The effect of this crime on individuals, families and whole communities is devastating.”
Mrs McArthur urged Attorney-General
Jaclyn Symes to urgently reinvestigate the recommendations for a drug court.
“What is happening?” she asked.
“The problem remains, yet no solution has been proposed by this government for Geelong.”
An investigation this year by the Geelong Advertiser found ambulance call-outs relating to ice had more than quadrupled since 2014, with doctors confirming methamphetamine was the most common illicit drug present in people seeking treatment at Geelong hospital’s emergency department.
At the time, prominent lawyers Michael Brugman, of Criminal Lawyers Geelong, and Andrew Senia, of Senia Lawyers, said a Geelongbased drug court would help prioritise the rehabilitation of ice users.
Mrs McArthur said Geelong residents deserved specialist services.
“Geelong residents, and those of the region, especially victims of this drug-related crime, also need care and attention,” she said.
“What will be spent in Geelong to achieve this?”
Ms Symes would not say if Geelong would be a priority location for a drug court and said the government had invested $35m to deliver new drug courts in Ballarat and Shepparton, as well as establishing a pilot alcohol and drug court in the County Court.
“We know that drug courts work – they reduce recidivism, support rehabilitation and help offenders get their lives back on track,” she said.
She said the state government had expanded the Court Integrated Services Program to magistrates’ courts across the state, including in Geelong.