DRUGS COURT AIMS TO `CURE' OFFENDERS

Ireland's first drugs court opened its doors yesterday in an
18-month-long experiment to see if supervised treatment can cure
offenders of their habit and also keep them crime-free.

The pilot system, based on US-style drugs courts, will allow
offenders stay out of prison as long as they stick to an agreed
programme, remain clean and stay out of trouble.

Heroin users are likely to be the most common drug addicts dealt with
under the scheme operating in Dublin's north inner city, which may be
extended to other areas if independent assessment judges it to be
effective.

Launching the drugs court, Judge Gerald Haughton said two gardai were
assigned to it and he served notice that the programme was to be
taken seriously. Gardai would go out looking for offenders who failed
to turn up for meetings, he warned.

Medical staff will be empowered to carry out on-the-spot testing for drug use.

Justice Minister John O'Donoghue described the court as "an
alternative method for dealing with less serious and non-violent
drug-offenders who are willing to take the rehabilitative route."

The pilot court is available to people aged 17 or over who plead
guilty or have been found guilty of a drugs related offence of a
non-violent nature that would normally warrant imprisonment.
Typically this could be stealing to feed their habit.