CALGARY GOING IT ALONE TO GET DRUG COURT INTO ACTION

Feds Haven't Provided Funding For Program Shown To Keep Addicts Out Of
Jail

CALGARY - A Calgary lawyer says the city will start up a separate drug
treatment court, despite a lack of federal funding for the initiative.

Mark Tyndale, who chairs the committee working to set up the court,
says the group decided to "forge ahead without federal funds in a
Calgary, homegrown manner."

The court will enable selected drug addicts who are in trouble with
the law to undergo intensive treatment rather than serve jail time.

The federal government has funded four trials of similar courts in
Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina and Ottawa, at $1.6 million each over four
years.

The City of Calgary is contributing $10,000 in seed money for its
court and will pay $200,000 over the next two years.

The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission and the Salvation Army
are on board to offer treatment and beds to successful applicants.

Tyndale says the pilot project will start May 10.

Ald. Madeleine King applauds the effort, but added it's a shame the
federal government isn't funding the initiative.

"Research from all over North America shows that just punishing drug
users doesn't achieve much in the long run because they just return to
the street after their sentences," King said.

"We have significant issues in Calgary and are a very significant
contributor to the federal economic success of Canada and we deserve
help and we need it."

Other jurisdictions with the drug courts have shown a steep decline in
the number of drug users who reoffend after completing treatment as
compared to those who reoffend after going through the regular justice
system.

There are about 30 potential applicants for the pilot project who face
jail terms but aren't a threat to society, Tyndale said.

Intensive treatment will run 12 to 18 months for those with addictions
to cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and other opiates. "It's not a
free card out of jail," Tyndale said. "In fact, they have to do more
work and have less freedoms than if incarcerated."

The province has given support such as probation officers and justice
officials, but has not yet committed any funds.

Tyndale said he hopes the drug court's success will eventually prompt
federal funding. He predicts every city in the country will one day
have its own drug court program.