GROUP 2
DIVERSION OPTIONS AND TREATMENT METHODS IN THE
COMMUNITY SETTINGRapporteur: Mr. Gun Young NA (Korea)
Co-Rapporteurs: Mr. Abdul Sattar ABDUL HAMEED (Maldives)
Ms. Joanna FIGARO JOLICOEUR (Mauritius)
Chairperson
Co-Chairperson
Members

Advisers

Mr. Nishantha HAPUARACHCHI
Mr. Najeeb ULLAH
Mr. Syahrul Amri Bin ABD MUTALIB
Ms. Pareena NOKCHAN
Ms. TANIGUCHI Maki
Mr. KABE Tsuyoshi
Mr. ANDO Yo
Mr. TONE Kazumasa
Mr. Somlith MANICHANH
Prof. OTANI Junichiro
Prof. HIRANO Nozomu
Prof. KITAGAWA Mika
Prof. FURUHASHI Takuya(Sri Lanka)(Pakistan)(Malaysia)(Thailand)(Japan)(Japan)(Japan)(Japan)(Lao PDR)(UNAFEI)(UNAFEI)(UNAFEI)(UNAFEI)

I. INTRODUCTION
A. Framework of Discussion
Diversion is a form of approach in which offenders join specified programmes that help people toreintegrate successfully into society. These programmes can be done by police, prosecutors and courts
depending on each country. Many evidence-based studies imply that alternative measures to imprisonment
can produce benefits for the treatment of drug offenders. Therefore, the group discussed how the criminal
justice system could create and implement effective alternatives to imprisonment and how effective
initiatives for treatment and reintegration could be offered in the community setting.
B. Our Target
In this group discussion, alternative measures were targeted to drug users/abusers, drug peddlers anddrug users committing petty crime under the influence of drugs. Drug traffickers shall not be targeted fordiversion options in the community because drug traffickers in the community can remain a potential threatto society.

II. ISSUES AND CHALLENGESDrug-related crimes are considered to deserve relatively heavy punishment in many countries, even forthe crime of personal use. This is because use of illicit drugs harms not only the usersʼ mental and physicalhealth but also causes harm to society by encouraging other crimes. Also, the drug money can be used toincrease funds of organized anti-social groups. In some of the participant countries, many drug addictedpeople are not willing to get help, because drugs are considered punishable crimes, and they are afraid ofgetting involved in the criminal justice system.
To enhance the effective treatment of drug addicted people in the criminal justice system, collaboration
among inter-governmental agencies should be encouraged, but any information sharing about the people
seeking treatment outside of the criminal justice system should not take place. Therefore, the group
discussed promising ways to promote public understanding and create an environment where drug addicts
are free to visit and receive treatment, while addressing many challenges such as social stigma, staff training,
clearing obstacles to continual treatment, and lack of facilities, interagency collaboration and confidentiality.

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III. BEST PRACTICES
A. Benefits of Alternative Measures and Their Impact on Relevant Stakeholders
Alternative measures to imprisonment should be taken into consideration for drug users. Alternative
measures bring big advantages in reducing prison populations and saving money for managing correctional
facilities while reducing the risk of infectious diseases. Also, it is shown that imprisonment affects theeconomic status of the inmateʼs family and, what is worse, after release from prisons, people have low
prospects for employment, perpetuating the vicious cycle of incarceration.
B. Our Ideal Model for Diversion
1. Pre-Trial Stage
Pre-trial diversion can be taken into consideration at two different levels:(a) Police̶for offenders with no previous criminal records: advice, warning, fine and bail can beimplemented.
(b) Prosecutor̶for offenders with minor previous offences: house arrest, bail and suspension ofprosecution can be used.
2. Trial Stage
During the trial stage, a judge can employ various options such as fine, probation, suspension of executionof sentence, parole and so on.
3. Post-Trial StageIn the post-trial stage, probation and parole officers conduct relevant diversion options such as day parole,
weekly parole and so on. At each stage, relevant stakeholders such as police, prosecutors, and judges candecide to put the offender under community-based treatment. Community-based treatment is mainly basedon assessment that needs to be carried out prior to trial to identify the most effective method of rehabilitationin the community.
C. Other Options
Group 2 unanimously agreed that each country should implement legal reform, so that police andprosecutors are empowered to discharge an offender pre-trial or impose non-custodial measures in minorcases. The rules should encourage the use of non-custodial sentencing options including warning, conditional
discharge, referral to non-institutional treatment and so on depending on each countryʼs situation.
The group agreed that drug misuse is a complex problem which needs a multidimensional approach, andeach country should work hard to employ and coordinate various opinions of many stakeholders in thetreatment of drug offenders. Also, judges, prosecutors, treatment personnel along with probation officers
must work together in providing alternative measures to imprisonment. To effectively cope with drug
problems, each governmental agency should closely cooperate with each other while guaranteeing theconfidentiality of people in the non-criminal justice system. Also, those seeking treatment on a voluntary basis
should be given encouragement in a way that is more tailored to the needs of each person. As the offender isconsidered a patient, a holistic approach, in terms of social, psychophysical and economical, educational
aspects is essential for selecting a proper diversion option.

IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The group agreed that drug addiction is a disease that needs to be cured and a continual monitoring
system should be in place in connection with community resources. Therefore, it is very necessary that eachcountry should utilize community resources such as volunteer probation officer systems, village mediation,village community and so on.
Summary of Recommendations:
1. Legal reforms adopting diversion methods
Since government officials cannot carry out their duties without a legal basis, it is necessary to introduce
new laws and regulations creating diversion options.
2. Training and skills development of officers
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Trained officers are prerequisites for the efficient management of community-based treatment as well as
the penal setting for the effective treatment of drug addicts, since diversion could be a new practice insome countries; the officers and personnel involved in the area need to be well trained and skilled.
3. Community outreach programmes / public awarenessContinuous education about drugs should be accessible to all interested people, since without public
support, it is impossible to implement effective community-based treatment and initiate appropriate legal
reforms adopting diversion methods.
4. Countering stigmatization and prioritizing community rehabilitation
Each government should work on eliminating stigmatization of people with drug problems, so that they
can live as responsible members of society, while making it one of their priorities to build community
rehabilitation centres and manage them efficiently.
Finally, the group recommended that all countries should join hands to solve drug problems.

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