SUCCESS OF DRUG TREATMENT COURT TOUTED

Province Puts Another $800,000 Into Program

If it wasn't for an innovative drug treatment court, Kieran might never
have pulled himself out of a six-year crystal methamphetamine gutter.

The highly addictive drug cost him his half-share of a two-section ranch
that included 500 head of cattle. He lost his friends, family and his own
dignity, he said at the court's two-year anniversary celebration luncheon
Tuesday.

Due to success stories like Kieran's, Calgary Edgemont MLA Jonathan
Denis's simultaneous announcement that the province is spending another
$800,000 on the program was well received.

"Why would I even touch crystal meth? To this day, I still ask myself
that,"said Kieran, 31,whose full name cannot be used. "I remember when I
was a kid, my dad said to me: 'The beautiful thing about life is choices.
One bad choice cost me it all.' "

Kieran was one of four drug treatment court participants presented by the
court's executive director, Linda Edney, to legal officials, community
support groups and dignitaries.

Provincial court Judge Jim Ogle, who presides over the court every
Thursday morning, said the primary benefit of the program is a dramatic
reduction in crime--particularly car, home and commercial break-ins --to
feed drug habits.

"From a personal point of view, what fulfils me in the courtroom is the
changes in lives I see happening right before my eyes," said Ogle.

"I see how they progress, how they want to progress, how they reverse
relationships with family, how they get back with physical ability to work
again and desire to work, how they take such pride in getting their own
residence, how they want to succeed."

Ogle said the program is no cake-walk, but an added benefit is once
participants complete it, they can expect the Crown prosecutor to agree to
a non-custodial sentence, where they might otherwise be looking at 18
months to three years in jail.

Participants, he said, must plead guilty to the offence, stay drug-free
for six months, pass drug tests, take part in counselling, have a
residence and support system in the community, and maintain employment.

Mark Tyndale, the court's board chairman and a defence lawyer for 25
years, said there are 11 participants benefiting from the program.

"Many of my clients have addiction-driven charges, committed to pay for or
support their habit," Tyndale said.

"In jail, there are virtually no addiction treatments. Drugs are available
in jail, temptation is there, and it's often a breeding ground for
criminal techniques. Everybody knows jail doesn't work.There has to be
another way and this is a viable option."

City police Staff Sgt.Ryan Ayliffe, a member of the court team that meets
once a week, says statistics show there is about $4 million worth of
property crime committed every month in Calgary.

"I've done checks and some of these potential (participants) are
committing an average of one offence a day, so this makes a lot of sense."
Ayliffe said.