Pubdate: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS) Copyright: 2004 Cape Breton Post Contact: http://www.capebretonpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/777 Author: Steve MacInnis Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) FUGITIVE WANTS ASSURANCES TREATMENT AVAILABLE Sydney - A Cape Breton man wanted by police since August says he'll turn himself in if he receives a guarantee he will continue to receive methadone treatment. Sheldon Vaughan Leroy, 35, told the Cape Breton Post Wednesday he wants to turn himself in but fears the island's only correctional centre will not allow him to continue his treatment for a heroin addiction. "I am willing to do the right thing and turn myself in but not if it means I won't be able to continue to take methadone," said Leroy, who also says he has a prescription for the drug. Leroy has been the subject of a Canada-wide arrest warrant since a shooting incident in Sydney Mines last August in which his brother, Ray, was shot in both legs. A third man pleaded guilty to the shooting and was a sentenced recently to two years in a federal prison. Leroy said he first started taking methadone five years ago and while he has served time in federal prisons he has been allowed to continue to receive the treatment. Richard Perry, spokesperson for the Nova Scotia Justice Department, said Wednesday only the central correctional centre in Dartmouth presently offers a methadone maintenance program although there are discussions to expand the program to the Cape Breton Correctional Centre. He said a standard admittance practice at all of the provincial jails is a health assessment for in-coming inmates to determine medical needs. "If an offender is on an approved methadone treatment program, then they will continue to receive the treatment," said Perry. "If someone needs medical attention, then they will receive it. They will get the help they need," he said. In the case of Leroy, Perry said it may mean he could be transferred to the central jail on mainland Nova Scotia. Treating such serious addictions as heroin requires intervention similar to alcohol addiction, explains Dr. Tom Crawford, a physician working with Addiction Services clients within the Cape Breton District Health Authority. The region is now dealing with a major problem of opiate addiction with the drug of choice for many being OxyContin -- a highly addictive painkiller linked to sudden deaths -- and a rash of criminal behaviour. A newly designed methadone maintenance program is expected to be operational next week to aid in treating the growing waiting list of addicted users. Selected on a triage basis, Crawford said high risk individuals -- such as those diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis C, pregnant, at risk of losing jobs or family -- will be admitted first. Crawford expects the program will likely treat upward of 100 patients within a year and notes that discussions with correctional officials could see a treatment program offered at the provincial jail sooner rather than later. He said that program would only be offered to those entering jail already receiving methadone. Leroy said he wants to give himself up because he recently became a father to a son and wants to start a new life. At the time of the shooting incident in Sydney Mines, Leroy was on statutory release from a federal prison where he was serving time for car theft. Giving himself up to police means he will be sent back to federal prison to complete the remaining 11 months of his sentence. However, Leroy's first order of business will be to deal with the outstanding charges filed by the Cape Breton Regional Police. It is likely that he would be remanded to a provincial jail on those charges pending resolution which would take precedence over the outstanding federal matter. "I want to remain on methadone. If they wean me off methadone at the correctional centre I don't want to have a life of chasing after drugs when I get out," he said. "I'll deal with what I have to deal with but I just don't want to get back on drugs when I get out." According to court documents, Leroy is charged with assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon, a screwdriver. Both assaults are alleged to have been inflicted on George Ford, 40, of Sydney Mines, who was sentenced for shooting Leroy's brother. As well, he is charged with possession of a dangerous weapon, a handgun; five counts of uttering threats and unlawfully entering Ford's home. The offences are alleged to have occurred last Aug. 31. He is also facing several offences alleged to have been committed last July 16 and Aug. 6. He is charged with unlawful entry, pointing a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and committing an assault while threatening to use a weapon, a handgun. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin