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.