BLAIR PLANS 'NETWORK OF DRUGS COURTS'

Prime Minister Tony Blair is reportedly planning to introduce specialist
drugs courts in a bid to steer addicts away from crime.

A nationwide network of courts could allow specially-trained magistrates to
ensure those convicted of drug-related offences receive treatment for their
addiction.

Hundreds of specialist courts are now in operation across the US, with
Canada and Australia operating similar schemes.

The Republic of Ireland has just opened its first drugs court in Dublin,
while ministers in Scotland are also pressing ahead with plans to introduce
a pilot scheme.

Less than a quarter of those sentenced under a similar scheme in the US
re-offend, according to The Times.

A Downing Street spokesman told the paper: "We are looking at different
ways of dealing with these problems more effectively and this is one of them."

Pilot scheme

Home Secretary Jack Straw has apparently been encouraged by a pilot scheme
in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, where around 40% of criminals have reportedly
come off drugs and property crime has dropped as a result.

He told The Times: "We are determined to break the vicious circle of drugs
and crime at all levels." Home Office figures show that 12,250 suspects
arrested each week have taken heroin, crack or cocaine in the previous two
days.

Drug-related crime is estimated to cost the country around UKP 2.5bn a
year, while almost two-thirds of criminals test positive for one or more drugs.

Under Mr Blair's proposals they would be dealt with by magistrates with
expertise in the area. Offenders are offered the chance of staying out of
prison if they agree to undergo an intensive programme of treatment and
rehabilitation.

Staying clean

During that time they have to undergo regular drug tests to make sure they
remain clean. If they fail to kick the habit they could be brought back
before magistrates and jailed. The plan is also seen as a way of ensuring
courts have the experience to oversee the "rigorous" testing regimes, which
were introduced nationwide last October.

Peter Hassett, of the charity Phoenix House, which helps offenders to get
off drugs, thinks it is an approach that could work for some offenders.

He told BBC News Online: "The great advantage of drug courts is that
carrots and sticks do work quite well with drug users.

"Positive incentives for people to succeed, balanced by sanctions in the
court, will keep more people on the straight and narrow."