Early Drug Diversion Initiative Easy Read

The NSW Government wrote this fact sheet.

When you see the word ‘we’, it means the NSW Government.

We wrote this fact sheet in an easy to read way.

We use pictures to explain some ideas.

We wrote some important words in bold.

This means the letters are thicker and darker.

We explain what these words mean.

There is a list of these words on this page

You can ask for help to read this fact sheet.

A friend, family member or support person might be able to help you.

This fact sheet is about the Early Drug Diversion Initiative.

We just call it EDDI.

It is a crime to possess or use drugs that are against the law in New South Wales (NSW).

If you possess drugs, you have them:

• with you – for example, in your pocket
• in a place you live at or use – for example, a house or car.

We call these crimes ‘drug offences’.

If you commit a drug offence, you might need to go to court.

Drugs that are against the law in NSW include:

• MDMA, like ecstasy
• cocaine
• methylamphetamines, like ice and speed
• heroin
• marijuana.

Small drug offences are when you:

• use drugs that are against the law
• possess a small amount of drugs that are against the law.

The amount that counts as a small drug offence depends on the type of drug.

For example, you might possess up to:

• 0.75 grams of MDMA in a tablet
• 0.25 grams of MDMA in other forms
• 1 gram of cocaine
• 1 gram of methylamphetamines
• 1 gram of heroin.

EDDI is a program for people who commit small drug offences.

If you commit a small drug offence, you might receive a fine instead of needing to go to court.

If you receive a fine, you can choose to take part in EDDI.

When you take part in EDDI, you can choose to:

• pay a $400 fine; or

• have a phone call with a health professional.

You must use a health professional that we trust.

You can find out how to contact them at the end of this fact sheet. 

It is still a crime to possess or use drugs that are against the law.

You can choose to take part in EDDI if you have:

• committed a small drug offence; and
• received a fine.

You only have the option to take part in EDDI the first 2 times you commit a small drug offence.

If you commit more than 2 small drug offences, you can’t take part in EDDI again, you will need to go to court. 

If you commit a small drug offence related to marijuana, you can’t take part in EDDI.

You might get a warning as part of the Cannabis Cautioning Scheme instead.

You can’t take part in EDDI if you possess:

• more than a small amount of drugs that are against the law; or

• more than one type of drug that is against the law.

This does not include marijuana.

You can’t take part in EDDI if you have ever committed a serious drug offence.

For example:

• growing or making drugs that are against the law

selling drugs that are against the law

bringing drugs that are against the law into Australia from another country.

You also can’t take part in EDDI if the police say you need to go to court.

You might choose to pay the $400 fine.

You can find more information about how you can manage your fine on the NSW website: www.nsw.gov.au/money-and-taxes/fines-and-fees/fines

You might choose to have a phone call with a health professional instead of paying the $400 fine.

You need to book an appointment with a health professional that we trust before the due date of your fine.

You can book an appointment online.

https://eddi.zohobookings.com.au/#/eddi

• You can call St Vincent’s Health Network on 1800 844 881 to book an appointment
• You can call, Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.

An appointment with a health professional is:

• free
• private.

The first time you commit a small drug offence, your appointment can go for up to 1 hour.

The second time you commit a small drug offence, your appointment can go for up to 1 hour.

And you can choose to have another appointment for up to 30 minutes

During your phone call, the health professional will talk with you about your experience using drugs.

They will give you information about:

• the risks of using drugs; 

• healthy choices; and

• where you can get support to make decisions about your health.

• Early Drug Diversion Initiative Easy Read resources
• Early Drug Diversion Initiative Easy Read Support and feedback
• Early Drug Diversion Initiative Easy Read list of words