PROVINCE'S FIRST DRUG TREATMENT COURT OPENS IN REGINA

A therapeutic court that addresses drug addictions is now operating at Regina Provincial Court.

It is an initiative proposed by partners in the Regina and Area Drug Strategy and developed by Saskatchewan Justice, Saskatchewan Health and the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region. The Regina Drug Treatment Court will address drug addiction as an underlying cause of criminal activity.

The Drug Treatment Court will be available to individuals who live in Regina and whose criminal behaviour is deemed by Crown Prosecutors to be motivated or caused by addiction. The individuals must also be deemed not to pose a threat to public safety, and individuals charged with offences such as sexual assaults, violent offences or commercial drug trafficking will not be eligible to participate.

A new drug treatment court was one of the commitments made in August 2005 as part of the Premier's Project Hope, a concerted government plan to prevent substance abuse and lessen its harms to individuals and families.

"We believe Regina's Drug Treatment Court is a positive step for individuals and for communities in the Regina area," Healthy Living Services Minister Graham Addley said. "It will not only address a root cause of crime; it will also help individuals overcome substance abuse and rebuild their lives."

Justice Minister Frank Quennell noted that the drug treatment court is a response to recommendations in the report of the Commission on First Nations and Mètis Peoples and Justice Reform.

"The Commission's report called for more therapeutic approaches in dealing with offenders," Quennell said. "Today's announcement reflects the hard work of many partner agencies in Regina, and I am pleased and proud that this site is one of four in Canada to receive a four-year funding commitment from the federal government."

The Drug Treatment Court is supported by Justice Canada through a multi-year funding agreement with the province as part of the National Drug Strategy.

In order to participate in the Drug Treatment Court, individuals must accept responsibility for the offence by entering a guilty plea. If, after a one-month assessment, they are judged to be suitable participants, they will begin day treatment programs to address their addiction and will appear in court once a week or as required by the Drug Treatment Court Judge. After a year, the individual will be sentenced according to the level of success with which they completed the treatment program.

"An individual's treatment plan will include drug testing and counselling," Drug Treatment Court co-ordinator Darlene Rude said. "We may also provide life skills and employment training to support the participant's rehabilitation."

Regina is one of six cities in Canada with a Drug Treatment Court.

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For More Information, Contact:

Joan Petrie Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083