It's been two decades since one of the state's most effective programs to reduce re-offending started in local courts.
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The Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment program turns 20 this month.
The program targets defendants with illicit drug or alcohol problems who want to enter into treatment. It typically lasts for three months, followed by a report to the magistrate on the defendant's participation which is considered as part of the final sentencing.
Attorney-General Mark Speakman said MERIT was helping to end the cycle of addiction and drug-related offending.
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"The program works because it doesn't just focus on a person's criminal behaviour, but directs participants into rehabilitation to help them address the drug and alcohol use that led to the offending in the first place," Mr Speakman said.
"Over 20 years, MERIT has demonstrated how the criminal justice and health systems can effectively work together to help people get their lives back on track and keep away from the criminal justice system in future."
Participation is voluntary and allows adult defendants charged with relatively minor offences to work towards their recovery as part of the bail process. Magistrates, police officers and lawyers may make referrals.
MERIT started as a trial in Lismore Local Court. It's since been expanded to 62 location across the state, including Dubbo.
In 2019, 63.5 per cent of people successfully completed the program. When it began, it was at a 45.4 per cent success rate.
Chief Magistrate Graeme Henson, who has been involved since the program's inception, said he couldn't think of any other initiative that came close to the "enduring success of MERIT" in his 32 years of experience in judicial office.
