 |
 |
|
Canada's Only Drug Treatment Court Celebrates Successful First Year
For immediate release -- Friday, November 26, 1999, Toronto, ON
-- On the first anniversary of Canada's only Drug Treatment Court (DTC),
some of its participants will share their compelling and moving stories
with the public. Since its inception on Dec. 1st,
1998, Toronto's Drug Treatment Court has proven to be a successful alternative
for dealing with people involved in drug-related criminal activity to
support their cocaine or heroin addiction. Not only does the DTC bring
together the courts and the drug treatment system, it also involves community
agencies and helps individuals face all problematic aspects of their lives.
To ensure public safety, there is a careful screening process involving
the crown prosecutor, treatment personnel and the Drug Treatment Court
judge.
The
Toronto Drug Treatment Court is a four-year pilot project for Canada.
The approach was started in the U.S. and, while the Toronto court uses
a similar philosophy, it is adapted to the specific needs and circumstances
of Canadians. It is an innovative alternative to the criminal justice
system for people with a recognizable drug addiction who are facing non-violent
drug-related offenses. Its primary objective is to increase public safety
by reducing drug addiction and the crimes committed to support a drug
habit, through a combination of treatment and court monitoring.
In
its first year, the program had 104 clients officially agree to participate
and eight have successfully completed the program. Participants suggest
that the DTC was a real alternative to traditional sentencing and offered
them hope for a better life. Those who have successfully completed the
program have met the goals of establishing social stability in terms of
housing, education and/or employment, and eliminating their use of cocaine
and opiates.
Please
join Barbara Hall, Chair, National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime
Prevention, and Drug Treatment Court representatives to celebrate the
achievements of the Toronto Court, to hear the stories of its participants,
and to learn more about the program.
Initiated
by Mr. Justice Paul Bentley of the Ontario Court of Justice, the Toronto
Drug Treatment Court is the first of its kind in Canada and has been in
operation since December 1998. This project is a joint venture between
the Ontario Court of Justice, the Federal Department of Justice, the Centre
for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto representatives of the criminal
justice system, the Toronto Police Service, the City of Toronto Public
Health and Healthy City Office, and various community-based service agencies.
The funding for this project is being provided through the Crime Prevention
Investment Fund of the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime
Prevention, Federal Department of Justice.
-30-
For
more information, please contact Christa Haanstra, Public Affairs at (416)
595-6015 or by pager at (416) 664-4652; email Christa_Haanstra@camh.net.
|
|
|
|
1-800-463-6273
