Pilot drug court to be extended for six months

A pilot drug court operating in Dublin's north inner city for more than two years is to be extended for a further six months and to a larger geographical area, The Irish Times has learnt.

The Drug Court, which sits twice a week at Richmond Courthouse, Dublin, has dealt with 118 referrals since it was established in January 2001 with four participants "graduating" through an intensive treatment and rehabilitation programme.

At least two more reformed drug addicts are to graduate from the scheme tomorrow when its extension is due to be announced by Judge Gerard Haughton.

The court aims to provide an alternative to prison for people found guilty of non-violent crime linked to their drug addiction.

A spokesman for the Court Service described the programme as "hugely challenging" for participants for whom prison can sometimes be an easier option.

Each offender must attend the court at least once a week for a review of their progress through stabilisation, counselling, support, training and assessment stages.

As well as seeking to wean offenders off drugs, the scheme tries to get them back to work through Community Employment schemes and address underlying behavioural problems through "restorative justice".

Lawyers are excluded from the process, and only become involved if there is a question of the offender's treatment programme being terminated. Each programme is reviewed by an inter-disciplinary team, comprising representatives from the Probation Service, the Garda liaison service, drugs counsellors, nurses and the Judge himself, who manages case conferences.

A total of 35 participants are currently on the scheme. Ten are being assessed, 41 were deemed ineligible and 23 left the programme. One participant, who was due to graduate last November, failed to do so after returning a positive urine sample.

Under the expansion of the scheme, due to come in effect from this week, the court will accept referrals from throughout the Dublin 7 area, from the North Quays to Arbour Hill, Phibsboro and Cabra. To date, the court only accepted referrals from designated areas within the north inner-city.

The Courts Service spokesman said the scheme created "huge savings for the State" when the cost of keeping offenders in prison was considered. "The court is provided at no extra cost to us. It's funded purely from existing resources."

The scheme mirrors drug courts in operation in the US, Canada and Australia where they have reportedly helped to reduce drug-related crime. Britain's first such court was opened in Glasgow in November 2001 where participants were found to have reduced their habits by almost 90 per cent. A review last year of the Scottish scheme showed offenders spent an average of £57 rather than £490 a week on drugs, leading to a reduced need to commit crime.

In the US, studies showed up to 75 per cent of those dealt with by drug courts in some areas did not re-offend.

Judge Haughton will speak of the scheme's progress, and planned future work, at a special sitting of the court tomorrow to coincide with the latest graduations.