Drug Treatment Courts to be expanded as offending rates fall

THE Government is to look at moving more people through the Drug Treatment Courts after a review of the system showed reduced rates of re-offending.

The details of the review will be published today by Justice Minister Dermot Ahern and one of the recommendations is that the scheme be extended to suitable cases before the Circuit Court, removing catchment area boundaries on a phased basis, and extending the scheme to the 16-18 age group.

The Drug Treatment Court is a specialised district court offering long-term court-monitored treatment to offenders with drug addictions as an alternative to a prison sentence. It sits twice a week in the Richmond Courthouse in Dublin and figures show that 37 people were referred to it last year, the lowest figure since the scheme began in 2001. Just 29 offenders, or 14% of the total number of people who have participated in the scheme, have completed all aspects of the programme, but the latest review shows while the numbers of drug users going through the DTC is low, it has had a significant effect on the behaviour of those utilising the programme, including those who drop out.