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Staff from the Probation Board for Northern Ireland have been briefing justice staff in England about the operation of the Substance Misuse Court which has been running in Laganside Magistrates Court with Judge Keown presiding. The aim of this programme is to specifically target individuals, whose offending behaviour is driven by drug and/or alcohol misuse, to provide them with support to help turn their lives around.
Gillian Montgomery Director of Operations said: “The estimated cost of substance misuse in NI is £900 million and there has been a 203% increase in drug misuse deaths in the last 10 years."
"As part of the strategy to try and tackle this problem, Probation in partnership with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service, the Judiciary and Inspire Wellbeing have been delivering a project which provides holistic support including interventions from probation officers, psychologists, and counsellors to try and help people turn their lives around and move away from the addiction which is causing their offending."
"74% of those who took part in this project reduced their likelihood of offending score by the end of the programme. 60% showed a reduction in drugs related problem behaviour and 37% achieved full abstinence. This programme is one way of helping to tackle substance related offending.”
“The Substance Misuse Court is a unique project which offers people who want to change their lives an opportunity to really tackle their addiction and the root cause of their offending.
Presiding District Judge Keown
Presiding District Judge Keown added: "At the beginning of the process people may be extremely chaotic and need significant support. The communication with probation staff is critical in helping me to assess if individuals are likely to make progress through this project and whether they will benefit from the support and opportunities the Substance Misuse Court provides”.
In conclusion, Aideen McLaughlin Assistant Director said: “Those who have participated in this project must undertake regular drug testing, psychological assessment, treatment and attend court. It is about providing support but also holding people to account. A number of service users have said that they believe they would have died had it not been for the treatment provided by this project. It has been life changing for those people.”
Find out more about the Substance Misuse Court on our website.