Pubdate: Thu, 04 Apr 2002
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2002 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5
Author: Larissa Dubecki
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

NEW TACK ON DRUG CRIME

Drug-addicted criminals around Dandenong may have their jail sentences 
converted into community-based intensive supervision orders in a trial of 
Victoria's first drug court beginning next month.

Offenders who would otherwise go to jail after pleading guilty to 
non-violent, drug-related crimes will be given the option of undergoing a 
program involving court visits, mandatory drug testing and counselling.

The three-year pilot program, to be headed by Deputy Chief Magistrate Brian 
Barrow, will begin at the Dandenong Magistrates Court in May. The creation 
of a specialist drug court division of the Magistrates Court received 
bipartisan support when it passed through State Parliament.

Attorney-General Rob Hulls said yesterday the program was aimed at stopping 
the "revolving-door process in our jail system". About 41 per cent of 
offenders commit crimes while under the influence of drugs or to support a 
drug habit.

Chief Magistrate Ian Gray said the likelihood of re-offending "diminishes 
commensurably with how long they are on the order and how successfully 
they're complying with the conditions".

Drug courts have been established in other states, including New South 
Wales, and in the United States, Canada and Britain.

Offenders must plead guilty to be eligible for the program. Breaches of the 
program would incur penalties ranging from increased frequency of drug 
tests to an order to serve a custodial sentence.
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