A MOTHER who battled addiction for 14 years has told how Ireland’s only full-time Drug Treatment Court “saved my life”.
Anne Marie Sweeney — who previously served time in the Dochas women’s prison — made the claim after The Irish Sun gained an exclusive insight into the justice system.
The court, based in Dublin’s Green Street, offers addicts who have been found guilty or pleaded guilty to non-violent offences the chance to have their charges dropped if they successfully complete a programme.
After completing her course last year, the mum of seven, 43, from Swords, north Dublin, wants to see full-time drug treatment courts (DTC) in cities and towns across Ireland.
Anne Marie, who now works as an outreach worker for the Traveller community, said: “This court is such a positive aspect of our criminal justice system — it saved my life.
“Once I had completed the process, it then gave me a foundation to build on, and now I am in the community helping others.
“It allowed me to be a mother to my children and I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if I had been in prison.
“I can’t recommend this court process to people enough — especially those who are struggling with their mental health and addictions.”
Anne Marie added: “I firmly believe that this type of court should be operating on a full-time basis all across Ireland.
“I often travel around the country to talk about my experience and I have also been to the prisons to speak about such a positive experience.”
During the court process, which normally takes around two years to complete, participants have to prove they are no longer on drugs, must undertake education courses and prepare a plan for their future.
The programme is based on different ‘bronze’, ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ phases.
HELPING CHANGE LIVES
Those participating in the programme range from the ages of 18 to people in their 60s.
Once each phase has been completed, participants receive a cash voucher with a graduation ceremony held at the end of the ‘gold’ phase.
Following the end of the gold phase, participants are drug-free, have completed an education course, and have identified a “pathway” to employment.
In operation since 2001, the DTC has helped change the lives of more than 700 people.
In March this year, ten people were in the bronze and silver phases, with one in gold. Eight people are also being assessed for the programme.
Other figures show that, since its formation, 105 people have graduated from the gold phase.
‘THEY’RE HUMAN BEINGS’
Judge Paul Kelly, who is President of the District Court, told The Irish Sun how the aim of the court was to help improve the lives of offenders.
The senior judge said: “Every person before the court is an individual whose own case is personal and individual to them.
“They are human beings and they are citizens — they are entitled to get the best out of our system, including our judicial system.
“The people who participate in the programme often have chaotic backgrounds, but if they successfully complete the programme, they will reconnect with their community and contribute to society.”
Former gang member Ger Redmond, 43, who now teaches kids in Oberstown Detention Centre, described the DTC as a “unique opportunity” for the participants.
“This court is such a positive aspect of our criminal justice system — it saved my life.”
Anne Marie Sweeney
Ger, from Darndale in north Dublin, said: “Anyone who participates in this programme has nothing to lose but everything to gain.
“This is a great alternative to a prison sentence, courses like this don’t just keep people out of prisons.
“It gives people an opportunity to be redeemed and live a life they could never have imagined.”
OFFERING AN ALTERNATIVE
Judge Kelly added: “Prison doesn’t address their underlying problems. It’s the underlying conditions of addiction that drive the criminality, particularly for shorter sentences.
“This is an alternative to the traditional court process and it allows offenders who have addictions to illegal drugs to divert from the normal criminal court system and embark on a programme of treatment which is supervised by the court and in the control of the court.
“The programme allows them to avail of a ‘Rolls Royce’ service in terms of support with education, housing, personal support, probation support and Garda support.
“I have often said that there really is a need for a drug treatment court in every city and large town in Ireland, at the very least.”
The judge also said: “Anybody who gets through the gold standard is somebody who has got back to a sustainable, productive and fulfilling life.
‘BACK IN THE COMMUNITY’
“They are back in the community and contributing to society — great positive benefits for society, less stealing and drug dealing.
“The multi-agency approach to this process is crucial and it wouldn’t work without that.”
When we visited the court last week, we also spoke to Mary, 50, one of two women who were appearing at the court last Wednesday.
The Dublin woman, who is in the ‘silver’ phase of the process, has vowed to turn her life around after struggling with addiction to sleeping tablets and other prescription pills.
“This is a great alternative to a prison sentence, courses like this don’t just keep people out of prisons.”
Ger Redmond
She joined the programme two years ago after she was charged with theft. Once she completes the course, her charge will be struck out.
She said: “I’d rather do this programme than go to prison.
“I love life now and I can hold my head high, because, in the past, I was always out of it.”
Other participants have included a mother who now gives talks at justice conferences, a former addict who is now participating in Hyrox fitness competitions in France, and a man who recently read a poem he had written to the court.
Another includes a former participant who now works at the DTC, providing support to others undergoing the programme.
Louise Dwyer, who has had 27 years working in the courts and is the registrar at the DTC, paid tribute to those people who are working hard to turn their lives around.
REAL POSITIVE CHANGE
She added: “I have been at the DTC for nine years and it has been fantastic to see the real positive changes that people have made to their lives.”
Garda Jamie Cruise, who is the full-time Garda at DTC, also praised those who had changed their lives.
Gda Cruise added: “The participants on the programme get great encouragement and it provides them with the opportunity to get their lives back on track.”
Sgt Colin Sullivan, who is based at the Criminal Courts of Justice, also spoke about the benefits of the drug treatment court.
He said: “The court offers a positive engagement with the clients who participate in the programme.
‘GREAT SUPPORT’
“We have had great support from Supt Jonathan O’Brien at the Bridewell Garda Station and we can see the benefits once individuals have graduated from their courses.”
The agencies involved in the DTC are the HSE, An Garda Siochana, City of Dublin Educational Training Board, the Courts Service and Judiciary.
Participants are also given points by the DTC after completing different phases of their courses and, once they earn 70, they receive a voucher.
Those who fail to reach the required standard could have their bail revoked or be discharged from the programme.
Although the only full-time court is in Dublin, similar courts have been held in Louth, Meath and Limerick.
Garda Sgt Colin O Sullivan, Noel Mooney, Judge Paul Kelly, Louise Dwyer, Garda Jamie Cruise and Lorraine Fagan are all part of the team helping[/caption]
