Victorian teens breaking the law or engaging in risky behaviour could be forced into mandatory residential drug and alcohol treatment by the Children's Court, under a new "tough but compassionate" plan from Matthew Guy's Opposition Coalition.

Key points: Opposition Leader Matthew Guy hopes plan would improve community safety

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy hopes plan would improve community safety Mandatory drug and alcohol treatments could be an alternative to jail

Mandatory drug and alcohol treatments could be an alternative to jail A key service in the plan would be post-release care

Sending teens to the mandatory rehabilitation centre will be an alternative to jail time for some offenders and is designed to break the cycle of substance abuse and criminal behaviour.

The policy marks a new element to the Opposition's law and order policy that has to date focused on tougher sentencing and bail reform.

The vast majority of young offenders in Victoria's criminal justice system have a history of alcohol and drug abuse and many were under the influence of substances when committing crimes, data from the Youth Parole Board shows.

The Australian-first plan is based on the work of Children's Court Magistrate Jennifer Bowles who completed a Churchill Fellowship on the issue.

Under the plan the court would be given the power to issue a Youth Therapeutic Order to young people in the justice or child protection system.

The court may also issue an order in cases where parents are seeking an intervention order against a violent child.

The proposed plan adds a new element to Matthew Guy's law and order policy. ( AAP: Joe Castro )

Most patients are expected to stay in the program from four to six months and the Coalition says a key service will be post-release care.

Education through the Parkville College would also be part of the program.

The bold plan includes building a new $30 million 36-bed secure facility on Melbourne's suburban fringe where teens aged 15-17 would undergo alcohol and drug treatment.

It is expected to cost $20 million a year to operate.

Mr Guy said the new approach would give families hope and help improve community safety.

"I believe we need to be tough but compassionate with these kids and help them have a second chance,'' Mr Guy said.

Premier hints at mandatory rehabilitation

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the Government was already investing in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and hinted at making treatments mandatory for young offenders.

"By building the facilities we need and providing an environment where you can actually get the care and the treatment as part of your custodial sentence — that's very important," he told reporters on Monday morning.

"In terms of mandatory treatment, we'll have a bit more to say about that later on this year."

Victorian Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley said the Government was doubling its investment in residential rehabilitation beds.

"We will continue on that path to make sure that the services that Victorians need — young or old — are available when and where they need them," he said.

"The Opposition's late-to-the-party efforts here lack credibility."

Shadow Health Minister Mary Wooldridge said the Opposition's policy was designed to stop young people falling into a cycle of substance abuse and crime.

"We don't want them cycling through the Youth Justice system and adult prisons, this is about breaking that cycle and intervening early,'' Ms Wooldridge said.

"More of the same from Daniel Andrews isn't going to cut it. When it comes to dealing with the ice crisis we need to be smarter, tougher and, when needed, compassionate."

Shadow Health Minister Mary Wooldridge says Daniel Andrews' policies won't cut it. ( AAP: Julian Smith )

The centre's operation will be granted through a tender process and is likely to be operated by an existing organisation.

It is expected that the orders would be made for about 60 young people each year.

The orders could be made on a young person if they had offending behaviour or were at risk of harm to themselves or others as a result of substance abuse.

Candidates would be clinically assessed for suitability including if other voluntary treatment options had been unsuccessful.

The court would receive a minimum of monthly updates to monitor progress and the order would need to be renewed after three months.

Patients would be housed in different units within the centre depending on need.

The Opposition said the policy was unlikely to see young people required in the secure units for more than six months, and most for much less.

In addition to the court, independent oversight would be undertaken by the Commission for Children and Young People.