Successful diversion program expanded for New England

Monday, 11 August 2025

A program shown to improve the health and wellbeing of people facing charges in NSW Courts and reduce the risk of reoffending has recently commenced in Glen Innes, Inverell and Armidale. This is part of an expansion of the NSW MERIT program to help more people access the support they need to address alcohol and other drug use.

The MERIT program expansion will reach approximately 93 per cent of eligible defendants across NSW in over 85 sites by 30 June 2026.

MERIT is a Local Court-based initiative to divert people who have issues related to their alcohol and drug use into treatment.

A new study led by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre found that MERIT participants who complete the program were much less likely to reoffend or receive a prison sentence. The evaluation included more than 22,400 defendants and found that the program also reduced their risk of death from any cause in the two years following completion.

A 2024 study by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found that the criminal justice and health benefits associated with the program exceed the cost of delivering MERIT.

MERIT is a Local Court diversion program that provides access to a range of alcohol and drug treatment services for 12 weeks while court matters are adjourned. Participation is voluntary and does not require a plea of guilty to be eligible. Adult defendants can be referred to MERIT by magistrates, police officers, lawyers, their families or themselves.

To be eligible for MERIT a defendant must:

• consent to participate in the program
• have a treatable alcohol and/or drug issue
• live or work in an area that provides MERIT.

The program is designed to provide treatment that is responsive to underlying health and social welfare issues, which can contribute to contact with the criminal justice system.

Prior to its expansion, MERIT was available at 62 Local Courts across NSW (55 Drug MERIT sites and 7 Alcohol and Drug MERIT sites). Including the three New England sites, it is now available at 81 Local Courts around the state

Since its inception at Lismore Local Court in 2000, more than 45,000 people have participated in MERIT, and evaluations have demonstrated positive health and criminal justice outcomes.

MERIT is an inter-agency partnership between the Department of Communities and Justice, NSW Health, the Chief Magistrate’s Office and NSW Police. It is also supported by Legal Aid NSW and the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT).

For more information about the program, visit the MERIT website.

Armidale Circuit Magistrate Mark Richardson said:

“MERIT is a diversionary program which I have been able to use in other courts around NSW and now it is available at Armidale, Inverell and Glen Innes.

“Many defendants before the court have drug and/or alcohol related issues and these contribute to their criminal offences. Diverting eligible defendants to MERIT is an effective way to address such issues where they receive expert support addressing addiction and related concerns. Post offence rehabilitation is relevant to sentencing and it can be the difference between a prison term or a community-based option.

“MERIT is an effective diversionary program which I fully support.”

Director Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services for Hunter New England Local Health District Dr Adrian Dunlop said:

“We are committed to supporting people living with alcohol or other drug problems to make healthy decisions. The expansion of the MERIT program in the New England region will ensure this specific group of patients have access to the right treatment and in the right setting.

“The MERIT team works with the eligible participants on an agreed tailored treatment plan to support their recovery, this could include withdrawal management, drug and alcohol counselling, medication, residential rehabilitation and case management.”