CONFERENCE ADDRESSES DRUG TREATMENTS

Drug abuse and the problems associated with the debilitating
addiction was on the mind of many in Alberta recently.

The first Canadian Association of Drug Treatment Courts national
conference was held in Edmonton in October, with more than 400
delegates and speakers in attendance. Canadian and U.S. judges,
lawyers, academics, drug treatment court professionals, Aboriginal
and community leaders, as well as representatives from law
enforcement agencies and government, were on hand to lend their
support and their views on the problem.

Drug treatment courts offer programs to assist people who are
battling drug addictions and have been in trouble with the law. The
first drug treatment court was established in Toronto in 1998. Since
then, treatment courts have opened in Vancouver and Edmonton.

"Drug treatment courts help stop the revolving door of repeat
offenders," said Darlene Wong, provincial court judge and conference
planning chairperson. "These programs assist them to gain control of
their addiction, find stable housing and begin a job or training program."

The conference was designed to increase understanding of drug
treatment issues and find ways to help people stay clean.

"There is a significant public cost to drug abuse in Canada in terms
of law enforcement, prosecution and incarceration," Minister of
Justice and Attorney General Ron Stevens said in a press release.
"This conference will increase our collective understanding of drug
treatment issues and investigate ways to best help those with
addictions stay clean and out of the justice system."