The Drug Court is responsible for sentencing and supervising the treatment of offenders with drug problems. Drug Courts are being trialled in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland and England. There are over 570 similar courts in the USA. The Victorian Drug Court signifies a fundamental modification in the way courts address drug offending. It is designed under the theory of Therapeutic Jurisprudence. This basically means that the Drug Court intends to make use of the justice and legal systems to rehabilitate and reintegrate participants of the court back into mainstream society, whist protecting the community from further offending incidents. To meet the criteria for a Drug Treatment Order (DTO) a person must be convicted of a drug related, non-violent crime and faced with a period of imprisonment. Each participant undergoes a comprehensive assessment from the Drug Court Team to consider his or her suitability for the order. If found suitable for, and then, sentenced to a DTO, the participant is required to attend court weekly, undergo drug screens and attend counselling sessions. The DTO functions on a reward/sanction basis

In response to the Victorian Government's drug policy proposals, the establishment of the first Victorian Drug Court Pilot was initiated. Evaluation from the NSW Drug Court established that there was an excessive need for participants to have access to housing, support and assistance whilst addressing past issues contributing to homelessness.

In addition, support to establish a plan to obtain and sustain long-term affordable, safe and appropriate housing is required. The Department of Justice recognised that rather than reinvent the wheel, or place extra demands on corrections officers, it made sense to purchase existing services from SAAP who were experienced in the area of homelessness. In September 2002, WAYSS was the successful recipient of the 3-year pilot component offering Transitional Housing accommodation and support to Drug Court participants.

The program structure comprises a full time program coordinator and 3 full time case workers. This structure has been the foundation of a homelessness support service from individuals assessed through the Dandenong Drug Court Pilot Initiative as being homeless, at serious risk of homelessness or in inadequate/unsuitable housing. Such identified individuals will be accommodated in dedicated Transitional Housing Management (THM) properties with attached support.

Predominantly, the service delivery provided by the Drug Court Homelessness Assistance Program (DCHAP) will be to assist Drug Treatment Order (DTO) clients to obtain long term, affordable, safe accommodation that suits/fits the requirements and obligations that are met as part of their DTO. It has been anticipated that the level of involvement with regards to support and case-management of DTO clients will be negotiated and be formed with the appropriate members of the Drug Court Team (DCT). Further to this, the intent is to help clients address whatever issues are underlying the fact that they are homeless. DCHAP will assist clients to identify other structural and/or personal factors contributing to homelessness above and beyond substance use. Such issues may include poverty, ill health, family violence, family breakdown etc.
The key principle of The Drug Court Homelessness Assistance Program (DCHAP) is to provide support and assistance to clients referred directly and solely by the Drug Court Team (DCT), specifically, the Specialist Community Corrections Officers responsible for the case management of the referred client. It is understood that the issue of either homelessness, at high risk of homelessness or unsafe/inadequate current accommodation has been identified through the DCTs’ initial contact with the client or in the course of the DCTs' comprehensive assessment procedures.
The support and assistance provided by DCHAP will be available to clients whilst they are accommodated in either a THM assessment property or a transitional property exclusively.
Predominately, the service delivery provided by DCHAP will be to assist Drug Treatment Order (DTO) clients to obtain long-term, affordable, safe accommodation that suits/ fits the requirements and obligations that are to be met as part of their DTO. It is anticipated that the level of involvement in regards to support and case-management of DTO clients will be negotiated and be formed with the appropriate members of the DCT.

Below is a broad outline of the service delivery DCHAP is able to provide to DTO clients:

Support

• Obtain long term, affordable, safe and appropriate accommodation
• Address issues contributing to homelessness
• Emotional support
• Basic day to day concerns
• Personal development
• Encouragement and motivation
• Information and Advice
• Fostering independence
• Access health, welfare or education services as identified

Basic Living Skills

• Budgeting
• Financial Responsibly
• Cooking/Cleaning
• Parenting
• Social interaction with neighbours
• Promote healthy relationships within the immediate family structure
• Hygiene

Advocate to and liaise with

• DCT
• Centrelink
• Public and Community Housing Sector
• Private Rental Sector
• Appropriate Departments of Human Services i.e. Protective Services, Office of Housing etc.
• Legal Services
• Tenants Issues
• THM
• Cultural Support Services

Referral To

• Generalist counselling
• Specialist counselling
• Personal Development Programs i.e.: parenting, stress management, anger etc.
• Material Aid
• Educational/Vocational agencies
• Psych. Support Services
• Domestic/Family Violence Service
• Mediation
• Disability Services