Pubdate: Sun, 28 Jan 2001
Source: Sault Star, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 The Sault Star
Contact:  145 Old Garden River Road, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. P6A 5M5
Fax: (705) 759-0102
Website: http://www.saultstar.com/
Author: Linda Richardson

DRUGS KILL PARTNER, ADDICT ASKS JUDGE FOR HELP

An addict whose partner died recently of a drug overdose pleaded with a 
judge Friday for help in kicking her habit. "I know I need help,'' 
Terry-Lynn Syrette said after she was convicted of 22 offences that 
included a string of thefts from Sault Ste. Marie stores.

The 30-year-old woman told Ontario Court Justice Wayne Cohen she lost her 
spouse to narcotics two weeks ago.

"He died of a drug overdose and I don't want that to happen me,'' the 
weeping woman said.

"He was trying to help me get off drugs and he ended up dying.''

Syrette's lawyer described the woman's life as "basically a mess'' and a 
vicious circle.

The single mother of three stole to obtain narcotics and when caught would 
give a false name and later not show up for court, Bruce Willson said.

"She didn't come to court because (she knew) she would go to jail and get 
sick.'' Syrette wants to use her sentence for treatment and would like to 
go to the Northern Treatment Centre, the defence lawyer said.

But if she received the 12-month sentence sought by the Crown she might end 
up at the Vanier Centre for Women and "drugs are rampant there,'' Willson said.

Citing the woman's guilty pleas, he urged the judge to consider six months.

Jail is "double hard time for a drug addict,'' Willson said.

"Not only are they in jail, but they are sick in jail.''

Prosecutor Brian Gualazzi supported treatment for the woman.

But he also pointed out the aggravating factors surrounding the offences, 
which also included giving false names to police and numerous probation 
breaches.

"I don't think we can bury our heads in the sand,'' the assistant Crown 
attorney said.

"These charges are the tip of the iceberg.' "There are probably all kinds 
of offences she committed to feed her habit,'' Gualazzi said, adding each 
time the woman had been caught she had stolen items from other stores as well.

"This is a tragedy existing in Sault Ste. Marie every day -- narcotics and 
alcohol abuse,'' Cohen said.

"There's no doubt you need assistance,'' he told Syrette, noting there 
wasn't much distance between the Crown and defence positions.

He imposed a 264-day sentence and recommended the woman be transferred to 
the Northern Treatment Centre on Great Northern Road as soon as a bed is 
available.

Once Syrette completes the sentence she will be on probation for 24 months, 
and must take any recommended counselling.
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