Rural Alcohol Diversion (RAD) pilot program
The Rural Alcohol Diversion (RAD) program operated at Orange and Bathurst Local Courts from 2004-2009.

The RAD program was closely based on the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program. The key difference between the programs was that defendants whose primary substance of concern was alcohol were accepted into RAD, whereas to be eligible for MERIT, defendants had to have a demonstrable illicit drug problem.

On 1 July 2009, the RAD program formally merged with MERIT such that defendants at Orange and Bathurst Local Courts with are now eligible for the MERIT program whether their primary substance of concern is alcohol or an illicit drug.