Evaluation
To evaluate the Youth Drug and Alcohol Court pilot program’s operations over the two years to the end of July 2002, the NSW Attorney General’s Department commissioned a consortium from the University of New South Wales, led by the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC).
The evaluation is based on statistical monitoring; two implementation reviews; a study of program outcomes, including analysis of data on offending and interviews with participants; a review of legal issues; and an analysis of program costs.
The SPRC evaluation has found that "the program is having an important, positive impact on the lives of many of those participating", with the majority of program participants being heroin users. Participants tended to have significant offending histories including prior custodial sentences. Most participants are facing a custodial sentence when they are referred to the Youth Drug Court.
Of the 75 young people who participated in the first two years of the program, 29 (39%) went on to complete the program successfully. The evaluation found that most participants reported that their drug use had decreased after entering the program, and that there was some improvement in mental health, particularly for female participants and those who successfully completed the program.
However, 65% of participants appeared on fresh charges after commencing program participation and 40% of participants went on to serve custodial sentences (either on the charges that saw them referred to the program, or on fresh charges).
The complete Final Evaluation of the YDAC Pilot Program: | | |
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