Investing in drug diversion would save money on criminal prosecution, says the AMAQ.
The Queensland Government’s Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Antisocial Behaviour Bill 2026 is misguided in the long term, according to the AMAQ.
AMA Queensland first spoke on the bill in early March, with the advocacy body saying that it “fundamentally misunderstands the reason behind drug diversion programs”.
Under the proposed bill, first-time offenders would not receive a warning but be given a single opportunity to be referred to drug diversion, whereas repeat offenders would face on-the-spot fines and/or criminal charges.
The latest submission from the AMAQ reiterated this argument and provided effective examples of drug diversion legislation which could guide Queensland’s approach.
The AMAQ has also maintained its stance that addiction and drug abuse require a stronger health response, as opposed to further criminal prosecution.
“We believe that drug use in our community, it must be treated as a healthcare issue,” AMAQ president Dr Nick Yim told The Medical Republic.
“We continue to advocate for an education and support pathways for those individuals who are caught with illicit drugs.
“Which is a reason why, with these proposed changes in his bill, I think it will add additional pressures to the legal system.”
AMAQ is also recommending that additional funding to support drug rehabilitation services should be prioritised to provide long-term solutions.
The Queensland Police Service has estimated that over 17,000 minor drug offenders are eligible for the new police drug diversion program within the first year of implementation.
“That is 17,000 opportunities to prevent someone from developing a substance abuse disorder,” minister for Police and Corrective Services Dan Purdie said in regard to the bill.
Related
$1.6 billion has been allocated by the QLD government from 2023 to 2027 for mental health, with this total projected to also support diversion programs.
The Queensland government could generate more funds to support healthcare via diversion programs, according to the AMAQ.
This would occur due to projected savings to criminal justice agencies being reallocated to Queensland Health to then further support alcohol and drug treatment services.
“One of the big challenges that we are facing in our communities is the challenge of mental health, the treatment and access to mental health services is really important,” Dr Yim told TMR.
“We know that if we can prevent mental health issues from worsening, treatment will be better for the individual patients themselves and ensuring that they are available components in the community.
“It’s important for people to educate their patients with regards to illicit substances, and at the same time, it’s also to initiate a conversation, to start treatment early.”
