Drug Court doing well

Klao Bell, Staff Reporter

MOST of the 13 persons who left the RM Court at Half-way Tree on Wednesday after a sitting of the Drug Court were smiling.

The reason was that the Resident Magistrate did not give them prison sentences or fine them for their illegal activity.

Instead, he wished them "All the best," urged them to "Keep it up," and praised them, "You're doing well," after reviewing their cases.

It was an unusual courtroom scene where applause, hugs, tears and commendation are common.

Of the 13 persons before the Drug Court, eight are doing well and are sticking strictly to the programme while five have had to be warned about missing sessions or turning up late.

"Drug Court is all about rehabilitation, not punishment," said Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle, who is assigned to the court.

Since the start of the court on May 16, 29 persons have been placed in the programme.

"In the early days, a few absconded but none since then. As a matter of fact, those who absconded were either caught by the police or came back with the encouragement of family and friends," Mr. Gayle said.

On Wednesday there were 16 persons in the programme with three appearing for the first time.

One of the first-timers, was a 36-year-old mother of three who has been using cocaine since she was introduced to it by her boyfriend 19 years ago.

"Mi want stop now. Mi no like the mocking and jeering; people look down pon you when dem know seh yu use it...I don't know if the programme will work but I need help," she said.

The authorities asked that the names of the participants be withheld for privacy.

Consent

Persons are referred to the Drug Court if, when they are taken before the Resident Magistrate Court's on a criminal charge, it is discovered that they are also addicted to drugs.

But the person has to consent to participating in the programme and obeying the rules which include staying off drugs, attending court each Wednesday and counselling sessions three times weekly.

They have to stand surety for their own bail and failure to comply to all or one of these conditions could result in expulsion from the programme or incarceration.

While the accused is in the Drug Court, the original charges are suspended and if the person successfully completes the treatment programme, they could be dropped. Treatment ranges from six to 18 months, depending on the needs of the person.

At least one person has tried to use the programme to get off criminal charges and the Magistrate is wary of these persons.

Mr. Gayle on Wednesday expelled a man from the programme describing him as a "big-time drug-seller who is using the court to by-pass other charges." Mr. Gayle said it was the first expulsion.

On the other hand, one man was commended for walking to sessions at the Maxfield Park Health Centre "all the way from Liguanea," and another was praised for, "successfully completing the first session, getting his job back and being allowed by his family to return home." His family had previously turned him out.

Dr. Michael Platzer, regional representative of the United Nations Drug Control Programme, sat in on the session last week.

"I am very impressed. Jamaica fully understands the concept and is further along than a number of other countries in the region including Cayman and Barbados," he said.

The sustainability of the programme is questionable though, as financing beyond this year is yet to be sorted out.

"We are still trying to sort out funding for the programme and have gone over $2 million already...the projection for the three courts is some $5.6 million", annually, said Derek Taylor, director of the Legal Administration and Corrections Unit, Ministry of National Security and Justice.

"The Ministry is funding the programme which is a one-year pilot - at the end it will be critically assessed to see what direction it can take".

The third Drug Court is to be opened in St. Catherine in October, while the second one opened in Montego Bay in July.

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