The Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program is a voluntary, pre-plea program for adults in the Local Court who have issues related to their alcohol and other drug use. MERIT provides access to a wide range of alcohol and other drug treatment services for 12 weeks while court matters are adjourned. MERIT has operated since 2000 and is currently available at 62 of the 137 Local Courts in NSW including Muswellbrook, Singleton and Coffs Harbour Local Courts.
MERIT aims to improve the health and well-being and reduce offending for adults who have problematic alcohol and /or other drug use and who have matters before the local court. To be considered for the MERIT program individuals must reside in the local court areas of Muswellbrook, Singleton or Coffs Harbour.
MERIT has been shown to have positive outcomes for participants. Some of the benefits may be:
For further information regarding the MERIT program, please click this link.
Drug & Alcohol Health Services Inc. has 3 offices located in the Upper Hunter at Muswellbrook, Singleton and in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.
Muswellbrook office is located at:
86 Sydney Street
Muswellbrook NSW 2333
Phone: 02 6543 2677
Fax: 02 6541 4004
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The Coffs Harbour office is located at:
Suite 2, 38 Park Avenue
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Phone: 02 6650 0126
Fax: 02 6650 0098
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Post Custodial Support Program office is located at:
2/155 John Street (1A William Street)
Singleton NSW 2334
Phone: 02 6543 2677
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