Pubdate: Fri, 10 Aug 2012
Source: Wellington Advertiser, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 The Wellington Advertiser
Contact:  http://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2527
Author: Kris Svela

PROGRAM AIMS TO KEEP ADDICTS OUT OF JAIL AND IN TREATMENT

A program aimed at keeping drug addicts, who habitually commit crimes 
because of their addiction, out of jail and getting them into 
treatment programs is set to start this fall.

No specific date has been set for the start of the drug treatment 
court program, however Raechelle Devereaux, manager of the Wellington 
Guelph Drug Strategy, expects an October start.

She anticipates the program will have five to six addicts enrolled in 
what is being tentatively described as a pilot project.

Candidates will be referred to the program by their lawyer or duty 
counsel and will see ongoing monitoring both in the court and at 
treatment centres such as Homewood Health Centre and Stonehenge 
Therapeutic Community. Judge Norman Douglas will monitor the court 
reporting aspect.

It's anticipated the cost will be about $4,500 per candidate for the 
full program.

"The main emphasis is they participate in drug treatment," Devereaux said.

She added the cost of the program is considerably less than the 
annual $45,000 to house an inmate in jail.

"Typically drug treatment courts are an alternative to prison."

It's similar to other programs operating in Toronto, Kitchener and London.

Devereaux added organizers of the local program have been assisted by 
those operating the three other programs.

"People who participate in drug treatment court have to plead 
guilty," Devereaux said of the prerequisite to enter the treatment 
program. "We are talking about people who have been involved in the 
criminal justice system."

According to Devereaux other programs show that it takes about "18 
months" to get "the best results" for those undergoing treatment.

The local program is the result of several months of research, 
planning and development involving federal and provincial crown 
attorneys, Guelph Police Services and the Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy.

Justice Douglas agreed to lead the weekly program in his courtroom, 
supporting a fall 2012 program start up.

One of the key components of a drug treatment court is invariably the 
provision of treatment, Devereaux said.

Federally funded programs have the financial capacity to pay for 
intensive community addiction services, as well as for residential 
treatment beds for their participants.

In Guelph Wellington, Homewood Health Centre's Community Addiction 
Services and Stonehenge Therapeutic Community have indicated an 
interest to partner with one another to provide a vital treatment role.

Additional community-based support for program participants is being 
explored with Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres, the Guelph 
Community Health Centre and Second Chance Employment Services.

In addition to Devereaux, the planning group also includes inspector 
Garry Male from Guelph Police Services, staff sergeant Jack Hunjan 
from Wellington County OPP, Heather Kerr from Stonehenge Therapeutic 
Community, federal prosecutor David Doney, crown attorney Pamela 
Borghesan, Cheryl MacDonald with probation and parole, and Elizabeth 
Renfrew with the legal aid office.

They are currently working together with drug treatment courts from 
other communities, as well as local service providers to fine tune 
the program outcomes, admission processes and program phases 
graduation criteria.

"Stonehenge Therapeutic Community is very pleased to partner with 
Homewood Health Centre in providing addiction support to the new 
Guelph Wellington drug treatment court program initiative," said 
Cheri Biltz, acting executive director of Stonehenge Therapeutic Community.

"So often clients do not engage in addiction services until they are 
fully entrenched in the correctional system.

"The many partnerships through this initiative will make it possible 
for individuals to receive the support they need in a more timely and 
coordinated way to reduce the impact of addiction on their lives."

John Wenstrup, clinical supervisor at Homewood Community Addiction 
Services, added, "Homewood is excited to be involved and to be 
partnering with Stonehenge on this initiative."

Inspector Male said Guelph Police Services, "recognizes the 
importance of treatment for those individuals struggling with 
addictions and are pleased to have participated in the planning of 
this initiative, with a goal to both reduce the impact of drug misuse 
and crime in our community."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom