DRUG COURTS SET TO AID REHAB

THE establishment of a US-style drugs court in Dublin is set to have a
major impact on the rehabilitation of non-violent drug offenders.

Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy,
Eoin Ryan, said the proposal to establish the court on a pilot basis
in Dublin’s north inner city, with up to 100 offenders being offered
the chance to rehabilitate themselves, is likely to prove very successful.

“It’s something a lot of people have been calling for. Rather than
seeing their son or daughter going to prison, families now have an
option of going for rehab.”

“In these cases, family support is very very important for people
trying to get off drugs and rehabilitate themselves. I honestly feel
it will be popular with abusers who want to be rehabilitated and I
think it will be very successful,” he added.

Minister Ryan said any problems that emerge in the operation of the
court should be sorted out during the 18 month trial basis but he was
hopeful it would be expanded to all major cities.

“I would like to see it operate eventually in each of the major
cities,” said Minister Ryan, who was speaking after addressing the
Millennium Mayors conference of the European Cities Against Drugs
organisation in Cork yesterday.

Earlier, Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne reiterated garda opposition to
any proposed legalisation or decriminalisation of cannabis, and warned
that the drugs blight had now expanded to affect even the most rural
and remote of communities.

“While the majority of drug abuse is centred in Dublin, I am satisfied
that the problem has spread to rural communities. While heretofore
cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy were the most commonly used drugs
in rural Ireland, heroin abuse is now beginning to take hold in areas
outside of Dublin,” he said.

“Parents should be aware that no matter where people live in rural
Ireland, drugs are available. Nowhere is safe and there are no drug
free areas,” he said, instancing the recent seizure of a small
quantity of cocaine in Banteer in North Cork.

Earlier, European Cities Against Drugs honoured murdered crime
reporter, Veronica Guerin, for her role in fighting the drugs menace
when Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damian Wallace, made a presentation to
Ms Guerin’s husband, Graham Turley.

Lord Mayor Wallace paid tribute to the late Sunday Independent
journalist when he presented the enamel and copper piece by artists
Liam Lavery and Eithne Ring to Mr Turley on behalf of the anti-drugs
organisation, which has members in 30 states.

“Her death became a defining moment in the history of Ireland’s
approach to drugs. It acted as a catalyst to our Government to put the
necessary legislation in place to allow the issue be dealt with in a
firm and vigorous way,” he said.