Drug courts are specialist courts that attempt to divert illicit drug users from incarceration and instead work to address underlying drug dependency via intensive treatment programs, with the hope that long-term rehabilitation is achieved (AIC 2015). To be eligible to attend a drug court, a person must not; be charged with an offence involving violent conduct, be under 18, or outside of the specified local area (The Drug Court of NSW 2015)
In 2012, there were varied opinions between the NSW government and a Senior Chief Magistrate over the closure of a NSW youth drug court that was deemed ‘too costly’ to run (ABC 2012). The Senior Chief Magistrate believed the drug court was a far less costly approach in the long-term, and accused the government
In 2012, there were varied opinions between the NSW government and a Senior Chief Magistrate over the closure of a NSW youth drug court that was deemed ‘too costly’ to run (ABC 2012). The Senior Chief Magistrate believed the drug court was a far less costly approach in the long-term, and accused the government