Please attribute the following statement to Juliana Warner, President, Law Society of NSW:

“The Law Society of NSW, which represents the state’s 36,000 solicitors, and the Orana Law Society, which represents solicitors in Dubbo and the surrounding regions, have long held the view that there is a pressing need for a Drug Court in Dubbo, and we welcome today’s announcement.

“Research has consistently shown that the Drug Court is more effective than prison in reducing drug-related crime.

“It can also play a part in reducing family and domestic violence, family breakdown, homelessness and other social issues.

“Expanding the Drug Court to Dubbo will ensure that a greater number of drug-dependent offenders in the local area are offered the most appropriate treatment and rehabilitation and ultimately reduce recidivism.

“This announcement is a much-welcomed acknowledgement by the NSW Government that the use of ice and other amphetamine-type substances needs to be addressed as a major health issue, not just a criminal justice issue.

“The Law Society has publicly encouraged the expansion of the Drug Court and other diversionary programs for some time and welcomes the prospect of additional Government support for this therapeutic approach.

“Expanding the Drug Court to a major regional NSW centre was also one of the recommendations of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug Ice.”

Andrew Boog, President of the Orana Law Society, reiterated Ms Warner’s comments, saying “this is the news that our region has been waiting for, for many years!”.