Non-violent drug offenders have a chance for a new lease on life if they qualify for a new Drug Rehabilitation Court introduced by the government of the Cayman Islands. Offenders with substance abuse problems are offered the chance to avoid jail time by successfully completing a court-ordered period of drug testing, regular court appearances, counseling and drug rehab.



The Cayman Islands, a British overseas territory in the western Caribbean Sea, is an international offshore financial services center and one of the world's popular tourist destinations. Although the population is only 45,000 – about the size of a large town or small city – the Caymans nevertheless has the usual range of drug crimes that always accompany widespread drug addiction. Planning for the Drug Rehabilitation Court system began several years ago, and new laws were required to enable it. The new drug court sent its first defendants to drug treatment this week.

As well as judges ruling on a case, each defendant – called "clients" once they are accepted by the court – has the help of social services, probation services, drug rehab services, and help to find housing and employment. Even the offenders' families are brought into the process if possible, and integrated into the treatment plan to provide additional support.

Since offenders are free to come and go, the program can include additional security measures such as electronic monitoring to reduce the risk to the community. The success of the drug court depends on the voluntary cooperation of the offenders, and if they don’t comply they are returned to court and can lose their drug court status.

The Cayman's Drug Rehabilitation Court has been adapted from similar drug courts used successfully in Canada and the UK. An editorial in the Cay Compass, a local newspaper, observed that it's been known since late 1980s that "punishment does not cure addiction" and that drug addicts will "steal or burgle or obtain property by deception in order to feed their habit." Drug-related crime can be reduced by helping offenders overcome their addiction through drug treatment and other assistance, the editorial said, thereby breaking the endless cycle of drugs and crime.

Drug abusers entering the drug court are expected to stay sober, establish a stable home environment and maintain steady employment. Because drug abuse affects not only the addicts and the victims of their crimes, it also tears apart families. The high costs to society and tax payers are also reduced by addressing the real problem, the addiction, with a successful drug rehab program.