Norway courts can now sentence addicts to treatment programs rather than jail

Independent UK - Norway's courts will now be able to sentence drug-addicted convicts to treatment programs instead of sending them to jail.

Following successful trials in Bergen and Oslo, the narcotics program is being introduced nationwide, effective immediately.

Announcing the expansion of the program, Justice Minister Anders Andundsen said: “We’re rolling out a program that has been tested since 2006, in which addicts have been sentenced to treatment with concrete follow-up."

“The goal is that more addicts will rid themselves of their drug dependency and fewer will return to crime,” Anundsen continued. “But if the terms of the programme are violated, the convicts must serve an ordinary prison term.” Read more