SPECIAL COURT SET UP TO TACKLE DRUG-RELATED CRIME

A court set up to deal solely with drug-related crime has been
launched officially in Barnsley -- one of only six planned for the
country.

The court, which has been up and running for nearly four weeks,
specifically tackles drug users who commit low-level crime to fund
their habits, and sentences people found guilty by
magistrates.

Cases are heard in a dedicated courtroom at Barnsley Magistrates'
Court.

The aim is to have the same magistrate or district judge sentencing
offenders and reviewing the progress of those on community orders
undergoing drug rehabilitation programmes.

Offenders will also be required to take regular drug
tests.

Court Service chief executive Chris Mayer said: "Drug-related crime
can have a devastating effect on a local community.

"The Barnsley dedicated drugs court aims to tackle the problem head
on to reduce drug related offending."