Drug treatment courts launched for juveniles

A student cutting the ribbon to declare the new Juvenile Drug Treatment Court open. The court is housed at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court complex.

Partly in response to what it says has been the emerging use and abuse of drugs among youths in and out of school, the Judiciary yesterday launched the first-ever Juvenile Drug Treatment Court (JDTC); opening a dozen simultaneously across the country.

Various Magistrates’ Courts in all three counties—Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice—are now outfitted with DTCs which are aimed at providing a treatment option for young persons with substance-use disorders; who have committed minor offences to support their habit.