Pubdate: Tue, 03 Oct 2006 Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Copyright: 2006 The StarPhoenix Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400 Author: Barb Pacholik, Saskatchewan News Network DRUG TREATMENT COURT OPENS Regina -- Call It Justice With A Dose Of Therapy. When Judge Clifford Toth takes his seat at Regina provincial court today, it will mark the start of a new court that merges health and the law. Regina Drug Treatment Court (DTC) is targeted at drug-addicted, non-violent offenders. The idea is that a mix of court and intensive counselling, backed up by monitoring and random drug tests, might better help set those offenders straight. "Rather than looking at just somebody simply serving time, the focus is on dealing with some of the underlying issues of why they're going in and out of the justice system," DTC co-ordinator Darlene Rude said. While the pilot project is a first for this province, the U.S. has had drug courts for 15 years. Toronto had the first in Canada in 1998, followed by Vancouver in 2001. Last year, the federal government made a four-year, $13.3-million commitment to set up drug courts in Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Regina. Regina DTC will cost $1.1 million annually, with Ottawa picking up 40 per cent under an agreement that's in place until 2009. There should be no shortage of suitable candidates. A 2003 study suggested about 76 per cent of offenders in Saskatchewan's justice system have an addiction. Rude said the plan is to work with about 30 offenders during the first year. Prosecutors screen potential participants. To qualify, a drug-addicted accused must reside in Regina, plead guilty to their crimes (which can be drug or Criminal Code offences) and not pose a risk to public safety. Those charged with violent crimes, sexual assaults, family violence, offences involving children or youth and commercial drug trafficking need not apply. Alcohol can be part of the addiction, but not exclusively. Regina defence lawyer Barry Nychuk believes DTC has merit. In the last few years, he's seen a growing number of clients turning to crime to support a cocaine habit, as the drug becomes more affordable on Regina's streets. "They're not really criminals. They're desperate people who need money to fund a habit," he said. "You deal with the root cause of the crime, which is desperation to obtain money for their addiction. If you deal with the addiction, you should deal with the crime." Sentencing is delayed for a year to see how the participant fares with the demands of the program -- regular court appearances, attendance at a day-program treatment centre, counselling, drug tests, cultural programming for aboriginal participants and access to other programs that might help, such as life-skills and employment training. After a month, the offender can opt out or the court can decide the person isn't suitable. Those who don't fully comply with requirements can face penalties, including jail. Successful completion will likely result in a sentence being served in the community. Relapse is always a possibility with an addiction, but the issue is how the person addresses it, said Rude. Unlike the usual courtroom, the same judge, prosecutor and legal aid lawyer is assigned to DTC to provide consistency. Three addictions counsellors, a psychiatric nurse, a probation officer, an income support worker, a community and cultural liaison and administrative staff complete the team. "You're looking at having a relationship that allows you to get to know that person and to be supportive," said Rude. To critics who might see it as an easy way out, Rude begs to differ. "That person will be expected to work. . . . The ones who aren't working the program are going to get pretty short shrift from the judge." - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine