[spacer height=”15px”]The State Government introduced the Controlled Substances (Youth Treatment Orders) Amendment Bill 2018 to allow for applications to the Youth Court for orders compelling a child or young person to be assessed for, and to undergo, mandatory treatment for a drug dependency for a period of up to 12 months.
Last week the Guardian wrote to the Attorney General and the Minister for Health and Wellbeing to comment:
‘I believe that the Government’s election commitment to introduce Youth Treatment Orders could achieve better results if the current Bill were withdrawn and, in its place, a process initiated to develop a comprehensive proposal that addresses the personal, family and community impacts of child and youth drug misuse. This would clarify and situate the concept within relevant service provision, legal and systemic arrangements and distinguish what really should be available as a ‘last resort’ option.’
and to offer some further comments.
