Early on a cold morning this week, a group of police and welfare workers came together over biscuits and a cup of coffee at a local police station. Collaboration, Care and Innovation, operating in the City of Yarra, has police actively involved in referring non-violent drug offenders to outreach services when released from police custody. For perhaps the first time, police are working with welfare workers.
Cops are cops.
Their role is to police, arrest and charge those offending against society. But these days the hard line is blurring a little, says Senior Sergeant Brian Hillier, of Collingwood Police. It's looking at the problem behind the problem. Accommodation, health services, access to Centrelink, legal advice and support at subsequent court hearings are part of the service, says Turning Point Outreach worker and program coordinator Paul O'Sullivan. One young woman drug user was referred because she was a victim of domestic violence and wanted to leave and go on a methadone program, he says.