SINCE its establishment in 2019, six men have benefitted from the programme being offered by the first adult Drug Treatment Court (DTC) which is located at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The pilot programme was launched on October 21, 2019, and gives offenders a choice outside of the traditional court proceedings, to help them get the treatment needed to overcome their addiction and be productive members of society.

It was made possible with the aid of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana, in collaboration with the Organisation of American States Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (OAS-CICAD), and the National Anti-Narcotics Agency.

Additionally, the programme helps with areas such as prison overcrowding and reducing recidivism, while helping to curb drug addiction in Guyana.

The court is currently presided over by Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse and Magistrate Rhondel Weever.

According to the statistics provided by the Supreme Court of Judicature from the time of the launch up to March 2022, 15 males between the ages of 18 to 60 years old formally applied to participate in the programme.

However, only six were accepted, since the others did not meet the criteria.

Marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and prescription medication were their illicit substances of choice.

Two participants are currently receiving outpatient treatment, while the others are receiving residential treatment.

According to a statement from the Supreme Court of Judicature, the programme was just about to gain traction when it was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The court’s operation was suspended in March 2020, but was later resumed virtually.

Now, with restrictions lifted by the government, in-person hearings, home visits and counselling have resumed.

One of the first participants in the programme was a 29-year-old mason who was referred to the drug court after he appeared before a city magistrate for stealing a pressure washer. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

He suffered from cocaine addiction and stole the pressure washer to aid his drug habit. He had also been previously convicted for a similar offence.

At the launching of the DTC in 2019, the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, had said that once an offender satisfies the eligibility requirements, his/her sentence would be deferred while he/she participated in the programme.

She said that participants who complete the programme may receive a light sentence such as a fine or community service, have their 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 would have been rehabilitated and prepared for reintegration into their communities, where they could meaningfully contribute to society.

However, the Chancellor had warned that if a participant fails to complete the programme that person will be processed as normal in the traditional criminal justice system.

According to her, 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 while being encouraged to make and maintain their recovery.

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.