M.E.R.I.TDrug – Related Offences

About MERIT

▌ MERIT [Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment Program] is a special program that is available for people who have committed an offence and have drug problems.

▌ The program is based in the NSW Local Courts and lasts for twelve weeks.

▌ The program offers support and access to a wide range of treatments and is completely voluntary.

▌ Participants can be referred to the MERIT program by a magistrate, solicitor, the police, their family, friends and themselves.

Types of available treatments Detoxification Methadone and other pharmacotherapies Residential rehabilitation Individual and group counselling Case management Welfare support and assistance

Eligibility

Participants must meet the following conditions;►Be over 18 years and have an illicit drug problem►Be considered suitable for bail►Not be charged with offences of a sexual nature,

involving serious violence or a matter to be dealt with in the District Court

►Be willing to participate►Be deemed suitable by the MERIT team►Approved by the judge

How it WORKS

Once a referral is made the defendant is put in touch with the MERIT team.

The defendant is then assessed and accepted into MERIT or not.

An individual plan is developed with a caseworker, taking into account the defendant’s individual needs.

The Court can make the defendant’s involvement in MERIT a condition of bail if required.

How it WORKSParticipants must undertake the drug treatment plan which

has been agreed with the caseworker and magistrate. They must also meet all other bail conditions. During the

treatment period participants will have to appear before the Magistrate to provide an update on the treatment progress.

The caseworker may recommend the participant be removed from the program if they:o fail to attend two consecutive appointmentso commit further offenceso do not comply with bail conditions.

Completion of the Merit Program When the MERIT treatment is complete, the original

hearing or sentencing matter(s) is heard by the Magistrate.

The Magistrate is provided with a report from the MERIT team which provides information on the participants treatment and makes recommendations for any further treatment.

It is up to the Magistrate to consider the participant’s compliance or non-compliance in their individual treatment plan.

Failure to respond to the individual MERIT treatment plan will not be taken into account when sentencing.

Our Bibliography http://www.merit.justice.nsw.gov.au/Documents/2011_merit_factsheet.pdf http://www.andersonboemi.com.au/news/what-is-merit-magistrates-early-

referral-into-treatment/ http://www.judcom.nsw.gov.au/publications/selected_papers/merit