The Homeless Persons’ Legal Service (HPLS) welcomes a NSW Government decision to include treatment for alcohol addiction in a drug rehabilitation program for defendants.

Announcing the decision, NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos said this week the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program would be offered for alcohol treatment at nine courts by the end of the year.

‘Evidence shows that this program works to break the drug-crime cycle,’ Mr Hatzistergos said.

‘We hope to replicate this success in treating defendants with serious alcohol dependency.’

MERIT is a joint Commonwealth-State program that offers drug treatment prior to sentencing. It is a voluntary option for non-violent defendants coming before Local Courts. The option is available to defendants who have a drug problem, who are considered suitable for release into the community on bail, and who are motivated to engage in treatment and rehabilitation.

Over the past year, HPLS has lobbied for the extension of the MERIT program to include treatment for alcohol addiction because of the potential benefit the program would have for people experiencing homelessness. A report by the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) estimates up to 55 percent of people sleeping rough are dependent on alcohol.

People experiencing homelessness are also more likely to come in contact with the criminal justice system than other members of the community. In 2008, HPLS appointed a Solicitor Advocate to deal with the large number of requests from homeless people seeking assistance in minor criminal matters.

HPLS Policy Officer Chris Hartley said the high numbers of homeless people seeking assistance in minor criminal matters is in part due to the public nature of homeless peoples’ lives.

‘Without appropriate accommodation, many homeless people are forced to conduct their private activities such as sleeping, toileting, eating and drinking in public.

‘The public nature of this conduct is what brings many individuals experiencing homelessness into contact with police and other law enforcement agencies,’ Mr Hartley said.

‘The MERIT program has succeeded in helping defendants with a drug addiction. HPLS believes the program will be equally successful in directing people with alcohol addiction away from the criminal justice system.’

* The Homeless Persons’ Legal Service (HPLS) is a joint initiative of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) NSW. PIAC receives funding from the NSW Attorney General, the Hon John Hatzistergos MLC, through the NSW Public Purpose Fund to operate the Service.