Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, has urged political parties to unite in supporting calls from legal and social service experts to establish a Drug Court in the Illawarra. With the NSW Drug Summit underway, Mr. Ward emphasised the effectiveness of Drug Courts in reducing crime and aiding rehabilitation.

"The data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Reporting speaks for itself," Mr. Ward said. "Drug Courts reduce reoffending, with 37% of participants less likely to be convicted of any offence, and significant reductions in violent, property, and drug-related crimes."

He criticised the lack of a Drug Court in the Illawarra, stating, "Other regions benefit from this proven system, yet Illawarra residents are left without access to these life-changing programs."

Drug Courts, which combine legal oversight with wraparound support services, aim to help offenders overcome addiction and reintegrate into society. Mr. Ward stressed they are not about leniency but about cutting crime and turning lives around.

“Throw the book at drug dealers, but where we can rehabilitate, we must. People make mistakes; they deserve a chance to recover without losing their future,” he said.

While welcoming the NSW Government's $47.8 million funding for drug and alcohol treatment services, Mr. Ward argued that systemic reforms like Drug Courts are crucial. "We need fences at the top of the cliff, not just ambulances at the bottom," he concluded.

PR Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has called for all political parties to unite and back calls from lawyers, social services, judicial officers and psychologists to establish a drug court in the Illawarra.

Mr Ward said the statistics speak for themselves with Bureau of Crime Statistics and Reporting data making the case clearer than ever.

With the NSW Drug Summit underway, Mr Ward said that a Drug Court was an important piece of the puzzle in getting people off drugs and turning lives around.

“If you have been addicted, or you know someone who has, you would know and appreciate the devastating impacts drugs can have on individuals, families, and communities. Drug Courts work, and it makes absolutely no sense that other regions have Drug Courts and the Illawarra doesn’t,” Mr Ward said. 

“BOCSR statistics show that 37% of people receiving treatment through a Drug Court program are less likely to be convicted of an offence. 65% are less likely to be convicted of an offence against a person, 35% are less likely to be convicted of a property offence and 58% are less likely to be re-convicted of a drug offence. What more does this government need than its very own data?

“Drug Courts are not about soft-touch penalties. Drug Courts are about getting people off drugs, re-integrating people into our community and cutting crime that is often associated with drug dependency which can range from theft to serious assault.

“People make mistakes, but why should people lose their careers because they made one bad decision? By all means, throw the book at those selling and peddling drugs, but where we can turn someone’s life around, we should. Drug Courts may not be the earliest of interventions, but for people at this point in their justice journey its better late than never.

“Whilst I welcome the $47.8 million announced by the NSW Government for drug and alcohol treatment services in our region, when it comes to social services, we need fences at the top of the cliff rather than ambulances at the bottom.

“Drug Courts are specialist courts that establish wraparound services, get people off drugs, and help charter a pathway back in collaboration with local support services.

“It’s a no-brainer and whilst I welcome the conversations being had at the Drug Summit and additional funding, all of this falls short if the right systems aren’t in place. I say this as a former FACS Minister and local MP who wants to work with the government to back sensible reforms that change lives for the better; everything else is just hollow ‘talk’,” Mr Ward concluded.