ALMOST two month ago, government opened its first Drug Treatment Court at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, with the aim of rehabilitating drug users and reintegrating them into society.

This pilot programme was made possible with the aid of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana, in collaboration with the Organization of American States Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (OAS-CICAD), and the National Anti-Narcotics Agency.
The programme gives offenders a choice beyond traditional court proceedings, to help them get the treatment needed, to overcome their addiction, and be productive people in society.

Additionally, the pilot programme will help within areas such as prison overcrowding and reducing recidivism, while helping to curb drug addiction in Guyana.
Currently, the supreme court of Judicature has listed a vacancy notice for a case manager for the drug treatment court.

The case manager will provide counselling, support services to the drug offender.
The applicant must hold a degree in social work or sociology with experience in counselling and be familiar with the justice system, provision of drug treatment support service and drug testing.

On December 2, 2019, a 29-year-old mason was referred to the drug court after he appeared before a City Magistrate for stealing a pressure washer. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

The man suffered from cocaine addiction and stole the pressure washer to aid his drug habit. He was recently released from prison for a similar charge.
He was remanded to prison and an assessment was ordered to determine if he was fit to be placed in the drug treatment court.

Once an offender satisfies the eligibility requirements, his/her sentence would be deferred while he/she participated in the Drug Treatment Court programme.
Participants who complete the programme may receive a light sentence such as a fine or community service, or have their underlying criminal charge dismissed or have no conviction recorded.

Offenders are given an opportunity to voluntarily enter the court programme and undergo a four-phase treatment plan, supervised by treatment providers and a magistrate.
Participants are rewarded for maintaining their treatment plans and sanctioned for failure to meet their obligations.

Upon successful completion of the programme, there is a graduation ceremony, by which time, the participants will be rehabilitated and prepared for reintegration into their community, where they can meaningfully contribute to society.
However, if a participant fails to complete the programme that person will be processed as normal in the traditional criminal justice system.

The programme requires a lot of commitment from participants and dedicated case supervision from the drug treatment court team.
It may require participation for many months to help the person maintain long-term recovery strategies.

Offenders are ‘treated’ with random drug tests to ensure that they stay clean. Participants must attend court frequently so they can be monitored and encouraged to make and maintain their recovery.

The pilot programme was designed to give structure to participants’ lives and to support their recovery. Unlike traditional court, Drug Treatment Courts take a collaborative approach to justice.

The magistrate, state prosecutor, defence attorney, probation officer, police officer, treatment provider, and mental health specialists work together with each participant to seek solutions for his or her benefit.