(Trinidad Express) Drug-related offences and the number of people appearing before the courts charged with such offences are of concern to the judiciary.
According to Chief Justice Ivor Archie, “The judiciary is concerned about the increased number of persons coming before the courts on drug-related offences, or who may have committed offences to feed a drug habit.”
Archie made his concerns known while delivering the feature address at yesterday’s opening of the law term.
As a result of the influx of drug cases, Archie said the judiciary participated in discussions with the Secretary for Multi-Dimensional Security of the Organisation of American States on the implementation of Drug Treatment Courts in T&T.
“This has resulted in the creation of training opportunities for members of the Judiciary and other critical partners whose services will be integral to the formation, implementation and maintenance of these courts,” Archie said.
Stating he has committed to undertaking the establishment of one drug treatment court, “as a pilot during the first quarter of next year”, Archie said citizens should not perceive this move “is, by any means, an abdication of our responsibility to deal firmly with criminal behaviour”.
“Graduates of the drug courts have to work very hard to not only maintain their sobriety, but also to meet the other demands which are placed on them”, Archie said.
Noting that the path is not an easy one, but was rather a developmental approach, Archie cited the example of Jamaica, which he said has a significant drug problem and the approach adopted showed there was a significant reduction in the number of repeat offenders.
The reduction, Archie said, led to “a resultant decrease in the numbers of prisoners and persons appearing before the courts”.
“This in turn will save a considerable amount of money that could be redirected to other programmes,” Archie said.
Noting that lives would be saved and healthy persons will be returned to communities, Archie said such persons “are able to function in a harmonious and supportive manner in their families and, by extension, their communities”.
