The Drug Treatment Court (DTC) is a District Court that provides supervised treatment, education and rehabilitation for offenders with problem drug use. It is an alternative to custody. You must have pleaded guilty or have been convicted of non-violent crimes in the District Court. You (or your solicitor) can then ask the judge to remand you to the Drug Treatment Court. It will be up to the judge to decide whether to send you to the Drug Treatment Court.

To succeed you have to show that you are prepared to be drug free (other than prescribed medications) and make positive changes in your life. The DTC judge and team work together to support you in keeping to the programme which is designed to suit your needs. There are rewards if you are doing well and also a scale of sanctions if you are not complying with the programme.

At the Drug Treatment Court, a member of An Garda Síochána will check your previous convictions.  Road traffic matters are not accepted before the court and you should have no outstanding Circuit Court matters.  A history of violent offending may prevent you from joining the programme.  We expect that you will not re-offend while you are on the DTC programme.   Once you are accepted into the programme, your charges before the District Court are put on hold.

You will also meet with a probation officer, the education coordinator and the liaison nurse.  We will request a probation report. The liaison nurse will agree a treatment plan with you and once your treatment plan is signed in court you are officially in Phase 1 - Bronze.

You will move through three phases, bronze, silver and gold, depending on your progress...