A report by the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) has recommended the federal government concentrate more on rehabilitation programs and less on jail time for minor drug offenders. The report found jail was a "revolving door" which often led to people re-offending while treatment programs save police and court time.

Chairman Dr John Herron told the ABC the cost of keeping someone in jail was $73,000 AUD ($60,000 USD) compared to $30,000 AUD ($25,000 USD) for diversionary programs.

"The report shows there is no question millions of taxpayers' money is being wasted by putting people in jail," Herron said. "If you put them in jail, it tends to be a revolving door and they come out and re-offend, whereas if they go into treatment, more than 50 percent respond and they don't offend any further."

Herron added the report's recommendations were supported by police commissioners in all the states because the recommendations save police time and money.