De-identification is a process in which any information is prevented from being connected to an individual. The best example for this is during a medical or scientific research in which a human subject is needed. The information obtained in this kind of practice is normally de-identified so the participant’s privacy may be maintained. If an individual’s information is leaked without consent, they may get in touch with corporate lawyers in Sydney to ask for assistance for the next steps that they should take.

Risks of De-Identification

De-identification may sound secure, but recently, it has been proven that it is not as safe as it is initially thought out to be. There was a medical data set of de-identified information from patients released in 2016 and researchers from the University of Melbourne were able to create a report on the re-identification of these sets of information.

This event has proven that re-identification can be done by anyone with the right skills and knowledge. This is quite alarming as the de-identified open dataset has revealed and re-identified the longitudinal medical billing records of 10% of Australians. This percentage is equivalent to around 2.9 million people.

Corporate Lawyers in Sydney and the Mishandling of Information

Think about the possible risk of de-identified open datasets. If anyone who knows how to use a computer can learn how to re-identify a data, would you not be wary of your privacy?

Initially, it would look as if the report released by the researchers in the University of Melbourne is merely exposing the poor handling of the dataset that has been released by the Department of Health. But of course, this also exposes other underlying issues.

Sydney Business Lawyers would recommend having contractual obligations that would be included in the agreement regarding the use and handling of personal information. The agreement and obligations should cover the purpose of the collection of data and the intention behind obtaining these sets of personal information. The agreement should also cover adequate liability protections.

Other Concerns Regarding Open Data

Technology has made it easier for people to gain access to information that they can use for educational or professional purposes. However, expect that there would be some privacy implications when big high-quality data and open datasets are made available online.

As mentioned previously, there are some other underlying issues that have been brought up by the report that was released by the University of Melbourne. These complex issues include:

● The tension and conflicts between the benefits of open data against the protection of private personal information

● The release, use and handling of data in a digital world

● The limits and risks of de-identification methods

The best lawyers in Sydney would advise you to be careful of the personal data that you release online. Many companies make use of your information for their marketing strategies, this does not necessarily mean that they would wrongly release or handle your information. But you cannot be too careful nowadays.

Did you know that in 2016, there were around 3.1 million Australians who were reported using illicit drugs? This statistical information was according to the study conducted by the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS). As per the said study, the most common illegal drug that was abused in the same year was Cannabis, followed by misuse of pharmaceuticals, cocaine, and then ecstasy. This is why Sydney Criminal Lawyers have decided to promote drug rehabilitation programs in attempts to reduce drug offences.

Illicit use of drugs has been one of the most common dilemmas in every country in the world and Sydney is no exception. Just like other countries, the abuse of the illegal substance is a serious offence and punishable by law.

In NSW alone, under the jurisdiction of their law, the possession, use, production or supply of a drug is highly prohibited. It is stated in the NSW Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985. Now, having said this, it is no wonder why any offence made under this act is taken seriously. In any event that any person fails to abide by the said law, they will receive punishment that may even lead to imprisonment.

However, in pursuit of a better form of discipline, the government of NSW, as well as the best Sydney Drug Lawyers, encourage rehabilitation programs. These programs are intended to reduce the possibilities of such offences to be repeated.

What are rehabilitation programs Sydney Criminal Lawyers are promoting?

Rehabilitation programs are systems of projects or services that are offered to those people who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol with the aim to help them recover. Between the two, drug addiction or misuse is the more common rehabilitation type and according to experts, people who are addicted to illicit drugs require more help and attention.

Drug rehabilitation programs offer treatment and support to those who seek to overcome misuse or addiction to any form of drugs. The Australian government funds some of the rehab services and projects while many are run by non-government organisations and charities. It is a great solution to aid those who were once under the influence of an illegal substance and offer them a better future ahead.

The Benefits Of Rehabilitation Programs

The main objective of rehabilitation programs is to aid people suffering from drug addiction to improve their life as well as gradually regaining their better selves along the process. The process can take time, but it doesn't mean that it doesn't work. Rehabilitation programs or rehab services provide a number of benefits to those people who have committed a drug offence.

The government of Australia, specifically NSW, promotes these services to help reduce the likelihood of committing another offence by the same offender and instead, lead them to a healthier and better lifestyle.

Sydney criminal defence lawyers are highly supportive of this notion as well and are working hand in hand with the government to encourage more people to consider this approach.

With the help of rehab services and programs, offenders will gain a deeper understanding of their present situation, the contributing factors of the offence, and the severity of the condition they're in. In such conditions, the awareness that they gained can help them avoid doing the same offence.

Furthermore, the NSW court is lenient to an offender who took rehabilitation programs after being accused of a drug offence. There are several rehabilitation programs in NSW, and we'll discuss the most common drug rehabilitation programs.

Understanding The MERIT Program

The MERIT (Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment) Program is a common rehabilitation program among the local courts of NSW. It is offered to those adult offenders who are willing to participate in working voluntarily as part of the bail process. It is actually a condition taken as part of a defendant’s bail requirements. In three months time and once the offender has clearly completed the tasks provided, an evaluation will be done and provided to the magistrate to help them carry out the sentence based on the comprehensive report. The MERIT team closely monitors the offender's progress and they are the ones responsible for submitting the reports to the magistrates.

This program allows adults with drug misuse problems charged with an offence to receive treatment within the span of three months. The treatments given can be in the form of detoxification, counselling and residential programs if deemed appropriate by the magistrates and judges. With the help of the best and reputable Sydney Criminal Lawyers, a not guilty plea can be endorsed as long as the adult offender is willing to participate in the MERIT program. Taking participation in this program is far different from the admission of guilt according to the NSW court.

Drug Court Explained

The drug court of NSW is a specialist court or known as a problem-solving court that aims to understand the underlying issues that encompass drug dependency which results in the commitment of the offence. It is their duty to promote the offender's reincorporation to the community, make them gain life skills that could be of great use when looking for regular employment as to avoid them from committing the same offence.

The two drug courts in NSW are located at Parramatta and Toronto, near Newcastle. The offender must be eligible for the drug court program before they can participate which lasts for 12 months in which he/she needs to plead guilty beforehand. Once the program is complete, a sentence will then be decided by the court.

Usually, the drug court program has three stages wherein each offender is given a program that is tailor-fit to their specific needs. The people who are eligible for this program are being referred by the local and district courts. Any district courts located at Campbelltown, Parramatta, Penrith, East Maitland, Newcastle or Sydney can submit their referrals.

Most of the time, offenders get eligibility when they are most likely to be sentenced to life imprisonment if convicted. Reputable Drug Lawyers Sydney recognises are highly beneficial in this process to provide professional assistance to the offenders in every step of the way.

Summing Things Up

Illicit drug dependence and abuse is a big offence against the laws of Australia, including NSW. It is not to be taken lightly - it can destroy the entire life of a person. With the help of the aforementioned rehabilitation programs, certainly, hope is not lost for those who have committed an offence. Rehab services are incredible solutions to help offenders to recover from addiction and regain their lives.

The government of Australia and its local courts, especially in NSW are working hand in hand to offer help to those who need and seek it. In case you know someone who happens to be in need of rehabilitation programs, encourage them to take part in these programs and be an agent of change. We know facing a drug conviction is no walk in the park. Check out our take on what it's like facing a drug conviction to get a clearer picture of the reality some of us might be facing.

I found myself being stared down by 2 police officers in a dark room in the Star City in Sydney. Some of you will be reading the first line of this and remembering your own experience past experiences with this. But this is not aimed at individuals who have already been in through the court system but rather the person who just been arrested and was in the same place I found myself.

Scared, confused and feeling like the world is crumbling around me. Being 32 and being caught with 3 bags packed with what I admitted was Cocaine in a back room is a scary experience. Like most Sydney siders I indulged in the forbidden fruit like many weekend warriors.

After a thorough search and the police officer pulled out a scale and asked me if I agreed with the weight. I didn't. I decided after being found with foreign notes and $4000 in cash the best thing to do was to keep my mouth shut.

So after listening to the police which in mind sounded muffled, I think that was the confusion and fear kicking in. Within a flash I had what I found out later was a yellow slip and its weird but I was outside I couldn't remember being walked out.

I was alone with 2 pieces of paper in my hand with a surge of anxiety coming over me. My phone was ringing non-stop from my clearly worried friends who would have seen me being escorted from the bathrooms. I quickly took the call the gave the update to them over the phone.

I waved down the first cab I saw and asked them to take me home straight now. It was the longest cab ride home. I did what most people do in all situations in life. I hit Google after reading about 100 articles all telling me I was going to gaol, I called a friend of mine to explain what happened.

He told me to go home and wind down and that someone will contact me tomorrow. After about 30 mins or so I get a message from Jahan saying telling me not to worry and that he is aware of my situation and that we will talk first thing in the morning.

After a lengthy discussion with Jahan on the phone Sunday morning I book in to see him first thing Monday morning.

Monday morning I have the meeting with Jahan, and suddenly the clouds in my mind are starting to part. So facing a drug conviction is scary as hell your mind goes a million miles an hour and you start to think about everything you did leading up to that moment. And honestly, the scariest thing is trying to do it on your own and not knowing what you’re facing.

You go from moments of thinking everything is going to be fine, cause a friend tells you about another friend who got caught with more than you did and how they just got a slap on the wrist to someone else telling you, you will never get another job again.

That meeting with the Jahan was the best thing that I could have done. He carefully articulated what will happen and what the next possible steps where as well as all the possible things that can happen.

Knowledge is power, and knowing what you’re facing will make things easier to comprehend. So I’m not going to go into detail about the legal strategy that Jahan drafted up for me is because each situation is different and I don't want you thinking is my lawyer doing the right thing? Cause believe me its toxic.

I followed my instructions exactly from Jahan and compiled the documents and character references and pieces of evidence. I sat there and started to draft my apology with Jahan’s advise.