CARR BACKS US-STYLE DRUG COURTS

The Premier has ordered draft legislation to establish US-style drug courts
as the latest weapon in the fight against drugs and drug-related crime. Mr
Ross Goodridge, an advocate of drug courts, said Mr Carr told him yesterday
that legislation could be introduced as soon as the next session of
Parliament.

Mr Goodridge said the 400 drug courts opened in the US had been so
successful that another 600 were planned.

If people accused of drug-related crimes plead guilty, they are allowed to
chose rehabilitation before sentencing.

Mr Goodridge said that in the US 85 per cent of people stuck to the program
and did not reoffend.

Mr Carr's office agreed the meeting had been very positive. "Obviously we
are going to need legislative changes if we are going to do this. We will
be looking to advance this proposal in coming weeks," a spokeswoman said.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)