NEW TACK ON DRUG CRIME

Drug-addicted criminals around Dandenong may have their jail sentences
converted into community-based intensive supervision orders in a trial of
Victoria's first drug court beginning next month.

Offenders who would otherwise go to jail after pleading guilty to
non-violent, drug-related crimes will be given the option of undergoing a
program involving court visits, mandatory drug testing and counselling.

The three-year pilot program, to be headed by Deputy Chief Magistrate Brian
Barrow, will begin at the Dandenong Magistrates Court in May. The creation
of a specialist drug court division of the Magistrates Court received
bipartisan support when it passed through State Parliament.

Attorney-General Rob Hulls said yesterday the program was aimed at stopping
the "revolving-door process in our jail system". About 41 per cent of
offenders commit crimes while under the influence of drugs or to support a
drug habit.

Chief Magistrate Ian Gray said the likelihood of re-offending "diminishes
commensurably with how long they are on the order and how successfully
they're complying with the conditions".

Drug courts have been established in other states, including New South
Wales, and in the United States, Canada and Britain.

Offenders must plead guilty to be eligible for the program. Breaches of the
program would incur penalties ranging from increased frequency of drug
tests to an order to serve a custodial sentence.