Drugs court is essential for Louth, says judge

COUNTY Louth is in the Stone Age as it has no Drug Treatment Court to deal with and help drug offenders.

This is according to Judge John Coughlan, who made the remark at last Friday’s sitting of Drogheda District Court.

He made the remark after hearing of a woman, who has difficulties with drugs and was caught with small amounts of cannabis and heroin in her bedroom.

Janine Collins (31) had her house searched on June 6th last year. Gardai found €30 worth of cannabis and €10 worth of heroin in her bedroom which she told them it was for her own use.

The defendant, of Westcourt in Drogheda, pleaded guilty to the offence.

Defence barrister Irene Sands told Judge Coughlan the defendant, who has three children, had been to rehabilitation and is ‘ doing well’ now.

‘She has not come to adverse attention since,’ said Ms Sands.

Ordering an updated Probation Report on the defendant, Judge Coughlan said: ’County Louth is in the Stone Age as it has no Drug Treatment Court. Let’s see if we can help her. That’s what the Drugs Court is for, simple as that,’ said Judge Coughlan, and adjourned the case until January.

The Drug Treatment Court Programme is aimed as people with drug addiction problems who come before the district court on minor criminal charges linked to their drug addiction and who plead guilty or have been convicted of the charges.

There is a short assessment phase and those chosen to participate are people who are serious about wanting to tackle their drug habit and undergo treatment. A participant can opt to try to detoxify in the community or in hospital or go drug free, or take methadone maintenance or methadone reduction. The participant will come to an agreement about their treatment with the team and will attend counselling.