NEW YORK DRUG COURTS MAY COME TO SCOTLAND

THE introduction of American-style drugs courts in Scotland moved a step
closer yesterday after a fact-finding mission by Government ministers.

Angus MacKay, the Scottish drugs minister, said he was impressed by the
effect the courts had in tackling New York's rising level of drugs-related
crime and was optimistic that a similar system could be introduced in
Scotland. His remarks followed a visit yesterday to a drugs court in
Queens, New York, that has helped halve drugs crime in the city. Mr MacKay
said: "It is certainly something we will investigate further."

A United Nations report on drugs control published yesterday said that the
courts, which would not require special legislation in Scotland, were a key
way forward in reducing crime. It warns, however, that there can be no half
measures and courts should be given powers to order treatment and
rehabilitation with prison used as a sanction for offenders who drop out of
the programmes.

It also recommended that the courts stick to dealing with non-violent
offenders accused of solely drugs-related crime. Andrew Wells, the senior
adviser to the working group behind the report, said: "The basic message is
don't give up because so many people say, 'What's the point? Let's just
legalise it'. Drug courts are an excellent example of best practice that
does work."