Drug Court participants receiving residential, outpatient treatment

Since its commissioning on October 21, 2019, only men have applied to the Drug Treatment Court (DTC) for help. The specialised court, which is located in the same building that houses the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, initially received applications from 15 men between the ages of 18 and 60.

In providing an update on the works of the DTC, the Supreme Court of Judicature said that only four of the 15 men were accepted into the programme. But shortly after, two of them exited. Then, two other men later joined. Of these four participants, three of them were in Phase One of the programme, while the other was in Phase Two. But one of them was unable to complete the programme. As of March, there were three participants: two in Phase Two and the other in Phase One. Two of them are receiving outpatient treatment, and the other is receiving residential treatment.
Their illicit substances of choice were marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, and prescription medication. The Supreme Court disclosed that just as the programme was about to gain traction, it was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to its suspension. The DTC, however, recommenced operations utilising virtual hearings.
In-person hearings, home visits and counselling have recommenced. The court is presided over by Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse and Magistrate Rhondel Weever. Its drug treatment team also includes State Counsel, legal aid lawyers, and probation officers.
At the launching of the DTC, the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, had explained that offenders would get to choose to do community service or enter a drug rehabilitation programme. She had noted that participants first have to sign an agreement, which binds them to follow certain rules, including regular attendance at the programme and submitting to random drug testing.
“Once the offender comes to the court, and the offender pleads guilty or is found guilty by the Magistrate, that offender is provided with the option to accept a custodial sentence or to enter a treatment programme which the drug court provides as an alternative to incarceration. Participation in that treatment programme is voluntary…the programme will provide treatment tailored to the needs of the participants. Some of the key interventions are educational sessions, one-to-one counselling, group counselling, treatment recovery plan, reintegration, post-graduation plans,”
Justice Cummings-Edwards had informed.
She also highlighted the disadvantage of jailing drug users without addressing their underlying issues.
“We have realised that many offenders have a substance use disorder. Some even have mental health disorders. The grim reality is when these offenders are charged and found guilty, they’re likely to be incarcerated. While in prison, the drug problem remains. When they’re discharged, they go back to base as before. And then reappear in the courts with similar offences and are labelled recidivists.”
The DTC collaborates with non-governmental organisations, including the Phoenix Recovery Centre and the Salvation Army, to assist persons in rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, a recent United States State Department report found that while Guyana has a comprehensive drug demand reduction strategy, the use of drugs like marijuana and even cocaine is a growing domestic problem.
The report pointed out that while marijuana is the most commonly used drug, there were reported seizures of synthetic drugs like Methylene-dioxyamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as “ecstasy”.
Guyana’s National Drug Strategy Master Plan 2016-2020 has outlined several initiatives to address the drug problem from both a public health and public security perspective. These include exploring various alternatives to imprisonment, reducing sentences for various non-violent drug-related offences, and the establishment of Drug Treatment Courts. (G1)