Offenders on thin ice

Thugs, crims test positive to drugs while on bail

NEARLY every violent offender tested for drugs while out on bail in the past year returned positive readings to either ice or cannabis, or both.

The Gold Coast Rapid Action Patrol group (RAP) has been drug testing offenders on bail conditions requiring them to take on-the-spot tests during checks.

Since July 1, 2017, 72 people have been put on the bail condition. They include bikies, high-end domestic violence offenders, repeat property of- fenders and violent criminals.

Of the 58 people tested, 90 per cent returned positive results. About 60 per cent had either methamphetamine (ice) or cannabis in their system; 40 per cent had both drugs.

Officer in Charge Gold Coast RAP Senior Sergeant Mat Kelly said the bail condition is imposed on people who are at significant risk of committing offences if they use drugs.

“They’re people who are serious, violent offenders, like OMCGs, recidivist property offenders and high risk domestic violence offenders,” SenSgt Kelly said. “We manage all the high-risk offenders across the Coast and it gives us another tool to utilise another strategy to further enforce and ensure there is compliance by these offenders out in the community. If they don’t, they know where they are going.”

He said the number of people who returned positive readings was a shock, but rather than just rearresting them, they were trying to change their lives.

“Rather than just locking them up for a breach of bail, we are referring them into those referral services.

“It’s high, there is no doubt about that. Let’s call a spade a spade.

“It’s not about trying to gather evidence against these people, it’s about us trying to meaningfully affect change. It’s a therapeutic approach to policing, as opposed to a just lock-them-up style.”

For those who fail the tests, they’re either referred into a drug rehabilitation program, or put before the courts.

“What is encouraging though is that people who are referred through the police referral system, into seeking treatment, we’re finding 60 per cent of people are accepting the referral system, which is increasing.

“(If they don’t accept the referral) they are put before the courts at a show cause bail hearing and they have to explain to a magistrate why they should continue to be on bail when they’re refusing to help themselves essentially.

“We have had five bail hearings, with three persons having their bail revoked within the 12-month period and there are currently six hearings pending.”

He said they had seen positive results in helping people steer away from drug use.

“After testing positive (and) engaging in a referral service, in some cases people are staying away from their drug usage.

“It’s about breaking a drug culture and a behavioural cycle of continual drug use.”