Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jul 2012
Source: Metro (Calgary, CN AB)
Copyright: 2012 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Calgary
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4471
Author: Alicia Gerrior

CALGARY DRUG REHAB PROGRAM GETS $463 K FROM PROVINCE

In and out of jails since the age of 16, former addict, Kyle Byron, 
said he couldn't have been accepted into the Calgary Drug Treatment 
court at a better time.

The recovery program, which rehabilitates addicts who have committed 
crimes to support their drug habit, received a $463,000 cash 
injection to continue their work.

"I was emotionally and spiritually dead," said Byron, 38.

"I had nothing in my life; my family wanted nothing to do with me."

Through the program, Byron has mended family relations, secured a 
job, and has been clean for almost nine months.

Addiction targets everybody, said Minister of Justice Jonathan Denis, 
after making the half-million dollar funding announcement at the 
Calgary Court Centre Thursday.

Denis himself has been affected by addiction. Drugs lured his cousin 
to crime before he eventually died from an overdose.

"It's always left an indelible mark on my psyche about the dangers of 
drug abuse," he said.

The program has proven successful, time and time again, according to 
the minister.

"We're seeing results throughout our city," he said.

The program's presiding judge, James Ogle said drug treatment court 
is more economical and effective than locking addicts behind bars.

"It's better to rehabilitate this type of offender through treatment 
rather than further alienate them through punishment," said Ogle.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom