The head of an anti-drugs group walked free yesterday after stealing almost $35,000 from its coffers -- to feed her drug addiction.

Yolande Henkel, 38, was so stressed by her job at the Victorian Alcohol and Drugs Association she became a junkie, the County Court heard.

The court was told the government-funded committee was so poorly run Henkel forged signatures on cheques worth $75,000 to pay its bills.

Henkel, 38, who pleaded guilty over the forgeries and thefts, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years' jail, wholly suspended for three years.

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