Drug courts' three-year extension

The drug courts will be reviewed after three years

Drug courts in Glasgow and Fife will run for a further three years, the Scottish Executive has announced.

The courts aim to reduce drug-related crime among repeat offenders aged 21 or over by tackling their habit.

Research showed half of offenders had not committed crime within one year of being dealt with while 29% had not reoffended within two years.

The Glasgow court opened in 2001 and was the first in the UK and the second in Europe. Fife followed in 2002.

The courts use drug treatment and testing orders and probation orders as alternatives to custody.

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Offenders are subject to regular drug testing.

In Glasgow 47% of offenders completed their orders, while 30% were completed in Fife.

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said: "If we can get people into effective treatment, allowing lifestyles to stabilise, then we can reduce offending behaviour.

"Drug courts allow us to continue to develop intensive interventions to help people with complex and deeply entrenched drug problems to turn their lives around and turn their backs on crime."

The minister said there were no plans for further drug courts.

Drug treatment and testing orders are available to other courts in Scotland.