State-wide expansion of the cannabis cautioning and mandatory education system [Audio]

8/12/99

The Minister responsible for WA Drug Abuse Strategy Rhonda Parker and Police Minister Kevin Prince have announced the State-wide expansion of the cannabis cautioning and mandatory education system.
Mrs Parker also released the formal evaluation report into the 12 month trial in the police districts of Mirrabooka and Bunbury City.
The pilot scheme provided first time cannabis offenders found in possession of less than 50 grams of cannabis with one opportunity for a caution - if they attended a mandatory education session on the harms of cannabis within two weeks of the caution being issued.
"Under the WA scheme, which is unique in Australia, the use of cannabis remains an offence, with first time offenders getting one opportunity, and one opportunity only, for an alternative penalty - the mandatory education session," Mrs Parker said.
"Cabinet has considered the evaluation report and decided to expand the scheme State-wide with some changes based on findings in the evaluation.
"The Government will implement recommendations relating to improved procedures, the development of dedicated education resources and the formal extension of the scheme to juveniles.
"The Government has also decided to reduce the quantity of cannabis to be eligible for a caution from 50 grams to 25 grams."
Police Minister Kevin Prince said he was pleased the evaluation found that police training and procedures were sound and that most police officers (72 per cent) supported the scheme.
"During the course of the pilot 95 formal cautions were issued, which represents 76 per cent of the 125 persons eligible to be cautioned," Mr Prince said.
"The main reason for not issuing a caution to some was based on specific circumstances, with offenders being investigated for other offences or because of their aggressive behaviour.
"In these circumstances, police used their discretionary powers not to issue a caution and that is entirely appropriate."
Mrs Parker said that the scheme was aimed at preventing and reducing cannabis use and had been trialed as an early intervention and prevention strategy targeting first time cannabis offenders with information on the harms of cannabis.
"The mandatory education session helps to counter the commonly held misconception that cannabis use is harmless.
"Cannabis is a harmful drug that causes cognitive, physical and social harms, including dependence and an established link to mental illness.
"At the time of publication of the evaluation report there was a high compliance rate with 78 per cent of offenders cautioned having attended the education session, and 21 of the 95 having been summonsed or in the process of being summonsed.
"Importantly, attendance at the mandatory education session demonstrated clear shifts in participants' knowledge and attitudes towards cannabis."
"Before the education session only 47 per cent believed cannabis to be a harmful drug. That figure increased to 71 per cent after the session.
"As part of a follow up evaluation of participants, 68 per cent reported less cannabis use after their caution and 42 per cent reported an intention to stop using the drug or to use less of it in the future.
"Five of the 95 people cautioned have re-offended and have been charged."
Mrs Parker said that as part of the trial the State Government also wanted to assess the appropriate quantity of cannabis to be eligible for a caution.
"At the beginning of the trial the amount was set at 50 grams, which represented half the indictable quantity specified in the Misuse of Drugs Act," she said.
"Having conducted the trial, we found that only three out of 95 offenders cautioned were in possession of more than 25 grams of cannabis, with the largest amount being 29.5 grams.
"In 78 per cent of cautions issued for possession of cannabis, the amount involved was less than two grams.
"In light of this we have decided that 25 grams is a more appropriate quantity as the eligibility criterion for a caution.
"The cannabis cautioning and mandatory education system will also now be formally extended to juveniles.
"While the Young Offenders Act 1994 already has provision for a caution to be issued, it does not have provision for a caution with a condition attached to it.
"That was why the trial, which included a condition, was limited to adults in the pilot phase, but will now be extended to juveniles through administrative procedures, pending the necessary amendments to regulations to the Young Offenders Act.
"The State-wide implementation will progressively be introduced from today.
"We hope to have the necessary training of police officers and staff in Community Drug Service Teams completed by the end of February 2000."
Media Contacts: Owen Cole - 9481 7810 or Kirsten Stoney - 9220 5000