Drug court scheme ‘has saved 10 people’s lives’

TEN addicts who successfully completed a drug court programme would be in prison or dead today, the chief executive of the courts service said yesterday.

The 10 are among 120 from Dublin’s north inner city who have been referred to the drug court. The intensive programme, still in its pilot stage, aims to wean users away from a life of drugs and crime.

Chief executive PJ Fitzpatrick described the programme as a success despite 20 being thrown off it for non- compliance.