Pubdate: Fri, 30 Nov 2001 Source: Richmond News (CN BC) Copyright: 2001, Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.richmond-news.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1244 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) DRUG ADDICTS NEED TREATMENT, NOT JAIL TIME It hasn't been a great week for British Columbians with announcements coming from the provincial government about how economic forecasts are bleak, the slashing of approximately one-third of the civil service, and the Insurance Corporation of B.C. reporting it's still losing money. But there is one bright spot, though. Attorney General Geoff Plant, who is also the Liberal MLA for Richmond-Steveston, announced last week that the proposed provincial drug court project will go ahead despite the cuts the government is currently making. The drug court will allow addicts the choice to either go for counselling and rehabilitation or go to jail. It is clear that drug addicts won't get better by sitting in jail. They need treatment in order to kick their habits. The federal government hopes to have drug courts established across the country by 2004. - --- MAP posted-by: GD