Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court launches

Following a review of the Drug and Specialist Courts system, the Drug and Alcohol Court has been reinstated in Queensland. The Penalties and Sentences (Drug and Alcohol Treatment Orders) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 has been passed, enabling a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order to be included into Queensland's existing sentencing framework. The Drug and Alcohol Court was launched on the 29th January 2018. The Court aims to provides an intensive and targeted response to adult offenders with severe drug and alcohol use directly associated with their offending and facilitate access to treatment. The Drug and Alcohol Court is currently operating in Brisbane, and decisions around expansion to regional centres is not likely to take place until 2023, after the court has been evaluated.

Find out more about the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court here.