ILLAWARRA CENTRE TO AID DRUG CRIMINALS

Offenders who commit a drug-related crime will be referred to treatment
and rehabilitation programs in the Illawarra under a NSW government
scheme.

The Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment program - a recommendation
of the 1999 NSW Drug Summit - has been trialled in the Northern Rivers
region since July last year.

NSW Special Minister of State, John Della Bosca, will announce on Monday
the scheme's implementation in the Illawarra.

Under the program, offenders who commit a drug-related crime will be
requested to take up treatment and rehabilitation while on bail.

The local magistrate would follow the progress of the offender
throughout the treatment process and receive a final report before
sentencing.