COURT FOR ADDICTS WILL OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE TO PRISON

A US-style drugs court is to be set up in Dublin's north inner city within
weeks to provide alternative treatment and supervision for non-violent drug
offenders.

Justice Minister John O'Donoghue has given the go-ahead for a pilot scheme
where up to 100 offenders will be offered an integrated programme of
rehabilitation, detoxification, counselling, training and education, as an
alternative to prison.

The pilot scheme will be assessed and evaluated by an independent team and
if it proves successful it will be made permanent and extended to other
locations.

A small panel of judges will be assigned to the drugs court and it will be
provided with a dedicated range of services and staff drawn from the
Eastern Health Board, Probation and Welfare Service, FAS, and the
Department of Education and Science.

The special court will be open on a voluntary basis to offenders over 18
years who have either pleaded guilty or been found guilty of a drugs
offence that would warrant imprisonment.

It is primarily targeted at those offenders who have not used violence and
whose offences, are less serious than other drug offences.

The new court will run a pilot basis for 18 months and the judges involved
will have complete control over the treatment and rehabilitation programme
that will be tailor-made for each of the offenders involved.

Last night Minister O'Donoghue described the move as an innovative attempt
to assess how an alternative non-custodial programme might work for those
who committed less serious, non-violent drug offences.

In setting a programme for an offender a judge will be able to firstly
ensure the person gets immediate access, if necessary, to detoxification
and stabilisation treatment and this will then be followed by co-ordinated
services provided by FAS, the Department of Education and Science and the
Probation and Welfare Service aimed at breaking psychological dependence on
drugs.

If an offender wishes to be admitted to the supervision of the drugs court,
at their own initiative or on a recommendation from the gardai, probation
or legal representatives, they will firstly be assessed to determine their
suitability.

Once accepted the offender will be required to enter into a number
undertakings including special bail bonds with conditions set by the court
and personal undertakings to abide by the treatment terms.