DRUGS KILL PARTNER, ADDICT ASKS JUDGE FOR HELP

An addict whose partner died recently of a drug overdose pleaded with a
judge Friday for help in kicking her habit. "I know I need help,''
Terry-Lynn Syrette said after she was convicted of 22 offences that
included a string of thefts from Sault Ste. Marie stores.

The 30-year-old woman told Ontario Court Justice Wayne Cohen she lost her
spouse to narcotics two weeks ago.

"He died of a drug overdose and I don't want that to happen me,'' the
weeping woman said.

"He was trying to help me get off drugs and he ended up dying.''

Syrette's lawyer described the woman's life as "basically a mess'' and a
vicious circle.

The single mother of three stole to obtain narcotics and when caught would
give a false name and later not show up for court, Bruce Willson said.

"She didn't come to court because (she knew) she would go to jail and get
sick.'' Syrette wants to use her sentence for treatment and would like to
go to the Northern Treatment Centre, the defence lawyer said.

But if she received the 12-month sentence sought by the Crown she might end
up at the Vanier Centre for Women and "drugs are rampant there,'' Willson said.

Citing the woman's guilty pleas, he urged the judge to consider six months.

Jail is "double hard time for a drug addict,'' Willson said.

"Not only are they in jail, but they are sick in jail.''

Prosecutor Brian Gualazzi supported treatment for the woman.

But he also pointed out the aggravating factors surrounding the offences,
which also included giving false names to police and numerous probation
breaches.

"I don't think we can bury our heads in the sand,'' the assistant Crown
attorney said.

"These charges are the tip of the iceberg.' "There are probably all kinds
of offences she committed to feed her habit,'' Gualazzi said, adding each
time the woman had been caught she had stolen items from other stores as well.

"This is a tragedy existing in Sault Ste. Marie every day -- narcotics and
alcohol abuse,'' Cohen said.

"There's no doubt you need assistance,'' he told Syrette, noting there
wasn't much distance between the Crown and defence positions.

He imposed a 264-day sentence and recommended the woman be transferred to
the Northern Treatment Centre on Great Northern Road as soon as a bed is
available.

Once Syrette completes the sentence she will be on probation for 24 months,
and must take any recommended counselling.