The impact of a voluntary alcohol and other drug diversion program on reoffending, imprisonment, and health

Survival times for participants in the MERIT program were significantly shorter for all health outcomes except one (death). At the 12-month mark, MERIT participants offended 21 per cent less frequently than comparison group participants (IRR: 0.793. CI: 0.748-0.841). This gap increased to 27 per cent after 24 months (IRR: 0.870. CI: 0.829-0.912). At the conclusion of criminal proceedings participants in the MERIT program were significantly less likely to receive a prison sentence (OR: 0.728. CI: 0.674-0.787) or to die (OR: 0.674. CI: 0.502-0.904) CONCLUSION: The Magistrates' Early Referral Into Treatment Program appears to be an effective way of reducing the short-term risk of re-offending, imprisonment, and death.