Cork court-referral progamme sees young cocaine users avoid criminal conviction

A Cork health intervention programme has seen 189 young cocaine users avoiding a criminal conviction in favour of the rehabilitation programme. 

The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs heard of a court-referral programme in Cork, driven by Judge Olann Kelleher, which saw young cocaine users avoid a criminal conviction in favour of the health intervention programme. Picture: Dan Linehan

A court-referral programme in Cork has seen 189 young cocaine users avoiding a criminal conviction and diverted into a health intervention, the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs has heard.

The programme is driven by local district court judge, Olann Kelleher, and is operated in conjunction with HSE South and Coolmine.