THE long-awaited Montego Bay Drug Court will open its doors on July 19, according to Director of Justice Administration in the Security Ministry, Derrick Taylor.

The court has long been mooted, and its start-up date has been pushed back at least once. But Taylor told the Observer that everything was now in place for its operation.

“All the various parties are in place. The only reason we won’t be starting before the 19th is because the Resident Magistrate who is going to deal with the court is going to be on leave for a couple of weeks,” Taylor explained. “As soon as she gets back, it will commence.”

He would not divulge who would head the court, but there are indications that it might well be senior RM for St James, Paulette Williams.

The Montego Bay drug court will be the pilot project for a similar facility expected to be located in Half-Way-Tree in Kingston. It was launched in March, two years after the 1999 passing of the Drug Court (Treatment and Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act.

The Act signals a shift in the treatment meted out to drug abusers who are now merely given jail time, and then return to the communities with their drug habit still intact.

Under the new approach, more emphasis will be placed on treatment and rehabilitation.

“Persons will be exposed to counselling, which will assist them to overcome their habit and prepare them to get back into mainstream society,” Taylor explained.

He added that a treatment centre, staffed with counsellors, would be located near the courthouse. The Cornwall Regional Hospital will also be used to conduct assessments, and psychiatrist, Dr Kevin Goldburn is expected to be assisted by two social workers.

“If it is proven that a person who is brought before the RM court for certain minor offences is there because of a drug related habit, that person will be given the opportunity to decide if he or she wishes to be dealt with in the RM court, or given the opportunity to be referred to the drug court,” Taylor said.

Those who choose to go before the drug court will be required to sign a consent form, and the programme is expected to last for a minimum of 12 to 18 months.

“If there is no success during this time, there are avenues for extending the programme as needed, based on the person’s preference and progress,” the ministry official said. “There are regular and clear assessments at intervals and the person is required to indicate that he or she wishes to continue with the programme.”