Getting help through Drug and Alcohol Diversion programs

Drug and Alcohol Diversion Programs provide eligible persons with education sessions to better understand the relationship between substance use and offending behaviour.


The available programs are Drug and Alcohol Assessment Referral (DAAR) and Illicit Drugs Court Diversion Program (CDP).

The DAAR program is an early intervention program for adults. It provides information and education about drug and alcohol use, as well as access to further treatment.

There are no specific charges that prevent someone from participating in a DAAR course.

Considerations:

  • you are appearing before the Magistrates Court
  • you have plead guilty or intend to plead guilty to all offences related to the program
  • you acknowledge a link between your drug and/or alcohol use and your charges
  • you can complete up to two DAAR courses as a bail condition within five years
  • you can complete an unlimited number of DAAR courses as part of a recognisance order

    • if you are charged with, or have a history of, sexual or violent offences, you will complete the DAAR course by phone.

The CDP is an early intervention program for adults and children who plead guilty to eligible illicit drug offences. It provides information and education about drug use and access to further treatment.

To be eligible, you must be charged with at least one of the following:

  • possessing dangerous drugs
  • possessing items used in connection with a drug offence
  • possessing utensils used in connection with a drug offence
  • failing to take reasonable care of a hypodermic syringe or needle
  • failing to dispose of a hypodermic syringe or needle.

Considerations:

  • you must plead guilty to all offences related to the program
  • you only complete two CDP programs in your lifetime. This may include:
    • two court-ordered CDPs, OR
    • one Police Drug Diversion Program and one court-ordered CDP.
  • You must not have pending charges or convictions for:
    • sexual offences
    • violent offences
    • drug offences dealt with on indictment (as defined in section 15E of the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992).

If you have pending charges or convictions for these offences, you may still be eligible for the DAAR program.

Attending court

The Drug and Alcohol Diversion Programs are available statewide for eligible adults or young people appearing in the Magistrate or Childrens Court.

How to submit a referral

Before court, complete the referral form (PDF, 368.8 KB) or speak to your legal representative (if you have one) or court staff for assistance. Submit the completed form to court staff at the registry.

Court staff will:

  • book you an education session for your substance use if you are eligible
  • provide the completed form to the court.

What to expect when undertaking a program

Attending the session

  • Sessions can be conducted in person (one-on-one or group) or by phone.
  • If attending in person, you may bring a support person but bringing along children you care for is not allowed, and childminding is not provided.
  • If attending by phone, ensure you are in a quiet, safe location to focus on the session.

Requirements for the session

You must:

  • attend on time (aim to arrive 10 minutes early)
  • participate satisfactorily in the session
  • not attend under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

If you do not meet these requirements, it may result in a breach of your court order or bail conditions and your matter returning to court.

If this happens, you will receive a notice of the court date in the mail.

At court the magistrate may:

  • forfeit your recognisance (usually means loss of money to you)
  • re-sentence you on your original offences.

If you do not attend court, the magistrate may issue a warrant for your arrest.

Rescheduling the session

If you cannot attend your scheduled session, contact us immediately. Requests to reschedule will be considered. You may need to provide supporting documents (e.g., a medical certificate or employer letter) to explain why you couldn’t attend (for reasons out of your control).

Further sessions

You only need to complete one session to comply with your order. If you wish to continue receiving support for drug and/or alcohol use, discuss options with your session provider or counsellor.

More information

Contact us

Brisbane Magistrates Court
Location: Level 4/363 George Street
Brisbane Qld 4001

Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm

Phone: (07) 3738 7100
(after hours - leave a message)

Email: CourtDiversion@justice.qld.gov.au