“We’re not here to keep people in jail,” says Kiama councillor Imogen Draisma. “We’re here to help them find a way forward.”

At last week’s Kiama Council meeting, a significant motion passed without debate: a formal call for the NSW government to fund a Drug Court for Wollongong.

The motion, brought by Cr Draisma, aligns Kiama with neighbouring councils and legal advocates who say it's time to treat drug addiction as a health issue, not simply a crime.

“People can fall off track,” said Cr Draisma, speaking as a Councillor rather than a spokesperson for Kiama Council. “The Drug Court gives them a real shot at getting control of their addiction and living a better life in the community.”

Unlike the regular court system, Drug Courts are highly specialised. Participation is voluntary and strictly limited to non-violent offenders.

Those who qualify must commit to an intensive rehabilitation program overseen by health professionals, supported by the court, and often involving community services.

The results speak for themselves.

A 2020 report by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found that Drug Court participants were 17 per cent less likely to be reconvicted for any offence and 30 per cent less likely to be imprisoned, compared to those going through traditional sentencing.

In one powerful case, reported by ABC News, a young man named Damien credited the Parramatta Drug Court with saving his life. After years of addiction and petty crime, Damien entered the program and, over 12 months, tackled his dependency through supervised treatment, regular court check-ins and community service. He now works full time and speaks at schools about the dangers of drug use.

Another participant, in the Hunter region, told the Newcastle Herald, “I’d be dead if it wasn’t for the Drug Court. They didn't give up on me.”

Cr Draisma believes this success can be replicated in Kiama and the rest of the Illawarra, where support for the idea is growing among community leaders, health workers, and legal professionals.

Wollongong, the intended site of the proposed Drug Court, has some of the highest rates of drug-related hospitalisations and overdoses in regional New South Wales, according to NSW Health data.

Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said: “Council supported this motion unanimously and we see this as an important area in which we can step up.

“We call on the NSW Government to help fund this important initiative to create better outcomes for some of our community members who are most in need of a helping hand.”

Kiama Council’s support reflects solidarity with its regional neighbours and a commitment to preventative action.

Cr Draisma added: “It’s not about ignoring crime. It’s about reducing it through evidence-based rehabilitation.”

“We are seeing an uptick in crimes where the proceeds are used to fund addiction. This is about early intervention and smarter spending.”

Cr Draisma has been buoyed by Kiama Council’s unanimous support and remains hopeful that state funding will follow.

“If someone is willing to do the hard work to recover, we should be ready to meet them halfway.”