FOCiS (First Offender's Court Intervention Service)

A 2.5-hour compulsory drug education program for first offenders sentenced to the program by the Magistrates' Court. Delivered throughout Victoria.

Have you been referred to attend FOCiS?

• What to expect?
• Do I have to attend?
• What happens if I don't attend?
• Duration of the program
• Locations of the program
• Further information

What to expect?

So, you've been to the Magistrates' Court and they've booked you into the FOCiS program. This is a 2.5-hour education/discussion group that is designed to help you. Its aims are:

• To provide drug and harm minimisation information
• To provide an opportunity, with the assistance of a trained alcohol and other drug counsellor/educator, to reflect upon drug using behaviours and the possibility of changing those behaviours
• To provide offender with linkage to alcohol and other drug services and other health and welfare services
• To avoid stigma of conviction for first time offenders

FOCiS is designed to help you answer the following questions:

• How does drug use affect my life?
• Are some drugs more harmful than others?
• Do I want to stop using drugs?
• If I do want to stop, how do I do it?
• If I do use drugs, how do I minimise the health risk?

You will receive information about drugs and their effects and information on how you can stay healthy. If you want to access other services, FOCiS can link you to a service which may assist you with health and personal issues.

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Do I have to attend?

Yes. If you have been placed on an Undertaking with Conditions or if you are on a Diversion Plan with the condition that you attend the FOCiS program, attendance is compulsory and will be monitored by UnitingCare Moreland Hall.

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What happens if I don't attend?

If you are placed on an Undertaking with Conditions and you don't attend the FOCiS program during the course of your undertaking, the police will be notified of your non-attendance and the matter is likely to return to the Magistrates' Court.

The Magistrates' Court will deal with any non-attendance issues relating to persons referred to the program who are on a Diversion Plan.

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Duration of program

FOCiS is a two and a half hour program

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Locations of program

FOCiS is regularly delivered at the following metropolitan and country centres:

• Metropolitan: Moreland, Dandenong and Frankston
• Rural: Bendigo, Geelong, Morwell, Shepparton, and Swan Hill

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Further Information

You are required to attend the program that the Magistrate Court books you into. If you have any queries, please contact the FOCiS co-ordinator at UnitingCare Moreland Hall on (03) 9384 8825 or contact us (select "FOCiS Program" from the "to" list).

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