GIVING CRIME THE TREATMENT

Drug And Alcohol Abuse At Heart Of Public Safety

Crime reduction through drug treatment is a key piece of the mayor's
public safety goal.

Lawlessness and drug abuse are inextricably linked, Mayor Dianne
Watts said Monday. It's why she'll be focusing on the relationship as
part of the city's crime reduction strategy - a plan expected to
unfold sometime this fall.

Statistics Canada estimates from five years ago indicate 70 to 90 per
cent of all crimes in this country are related to drug and alcohol abuse.

After similar data emerged in England in the 1990s, that country
launched an aggressive program referring addicted offenders to recovery.

The British initiative also includes surveillance cameras and a new
approach to repeat offenders, but Watts is focusing on the extensive
use of drug and alcohol treatment regulated by the courts.

"It's the key component," Watts said Monday, adding England refers
1,000 people a week into drug and alcohol recovery.

England has written the social policy into law.

The British Crime and Disorder Act 1998 enables the court to order
periodic drug testing of people who agree to get clean and sober.

Critics of that system believe a criminal will say whatever a judge
wants to hear to avoid jail time.

Britain witnessed a 35 per cent reduction in crime since a suite of
initiatives were launched in the 1990s.

Watts said Surrey could enjoy similar successes, but the city will
need help from senior levels of government.

Currently, the city is home to scores of unregulated drug and alcohol
recovery homes, many criticized for overcrowding, poor domestic care,
unwarranted evictions and a host of other unethical practices.

Watts wants Victoria to place strict standards on the homes, making
them a more effective tool for court referral. She's also lobbying
for community courts, which would identify those with substance
problems, direct them to treatment, housing assistance, job training
and other services helping them to become functioning members of society.

She described her crime reduction package as in the early stages, but
said senior levels of government seem keen to participate.

"They're on board, we're just having to pull (the plan) together."

The task force will meet Sept. 18 to discuss the mayor's crime reduction plan.