In June 2001, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre was commissioned
to develop recommendations regarding the communication needs
of the various parties involved in Victorian Drug Diversion
Programs. The aim of the recommendations was to promote the
use of drug diversion by describing the numerous programs that
currently operate in Victoria and clarifying the role of the
various target groups within each program. A range of key stakeholders
were consulted, including representatives from Victoria Police,
the Department of Human Services, the Commonwealth Department
of Health and Aged Care, Department of Justice, Health Outcomes
International, Melbourne Magistrates Court, Turning Point, and
Moreland Hall. As a result of the consultation process, a series
of recommendations were developed. The production of an information
package, a core component of the recommendations, was managed
and coordinated by Turning Point.
The drug diversion information package, consists of five
items: a handbook (four versions: police, drug clinicians,
magistrates and lawyers), covering letter, poster (for drug
clinicians only), wall chart (for police only) and A4 information
sheets (for police only). The handbook is an A4-size, thirty-eight
page booklet which describes in details every drug diversion
program currently operating in Victoria (see downloadable
pdfs below). The wall chart and A4 information sheet contained
summary information from the handbook, while the poster promoted
the clinicians’ role in the diversion process. The covering
letter informed the recipient of the reason for the package
and was signed by peak representatives from the four groups.
The packages were distributed to every police station, every
magistrate and drug lawyer, and every clinical drug diversion
assessor in Victoria in late 2002.
The educational video for police was a 15 minute video describing
the two main drug diversion programs which Victoria police
use: Victoria Police Drug Diversion and Victoria Police Cannabis
Cautioning programs. Using a documentary-style approach, the
video runs through the eligibility criteria for each program
and visually demonstrates the role of police in the two programs.
Copies of the video were distributed to every Victorian police
station in early 2003. In addition, the video will be presented
to every Victorian police member at six-monthly Operational
Safety Training sessions. It is hoped that the video will
clarify the role of police in the Victoria Police Drug Diversion
and Cannabis Cautioning programs, as well as promote the use
of these programs amongst members.
If you require further information on any of these products,
please contact Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre on (03)
8413 8413.
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