The Hunter is ready to get its first drug court, which is based on a similar kind of court that has been able to operate successfully for years in the Sydney area.

The New South Wales Government has shelled out a confirmed sum of $3.7 million for the court to be established at Toronto.

A drug court has been operating in western Sydney ever since the year 1999 and the Government says it has drastically reduced reoffending rates.

Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos says that offenders have to go through an intensive treatment plan for 12 months.

He said that the individual who is on the program has to undergo a number of stages that includes detoxification, stabilization and then the final reintegration back into the society.

It definitely is a holistic plan that deals will all of the pertinent elements which lead an individual to get involved in substance abuse and then finally have a changeover, only to see that person has come back into the society as the factor that tends to help other abusers, see a ray of hope.

Mr. Hatzistergos said that offenders who faced accusations of sex offences or violent behavior would not be entitled to be included in the program.