MAGISTRATE APPOINTED TO NEW DRUG COURT

A MAGISTRATE has been appointed to Western Australia's first drug court to
establish the structure of the new institution. Barrister and solicitor
Julie Wager would take up the post on October 3, beginning her term by
working out the day-to-day processes of the court, WA Attorney-General
Peter Foss said yesterday.

The drug court initiative was announced earlier in the year as a
preventative measure intended to minimise drug use and crime by
professional treatment and other support.

"This is a new style of court in WA which will operate on a co-operative
basis with all of the professionals involved including the Director of
Public Prosecutions, the WA police service, defence lawyers, the court
diversion service, medical professionals and drug support services," Mr
Foss said.

"The central feature of the drug court system will be its ability to spend
more time dealing with cases and to find a way for the individual offender
to control their habit."

A date has yet to be set for the opening of the new court.