DRUG COURT TAKES ONLY 'MOST CHALLENGING'

The war to reclaim Calgary streets from drug offenders is not only
waged by cops and addiction counsellors, but also from within one
particularly venerated courtroom where a "trip to the bucket" is a good thing.

The Calgary Drug Treatment Court, a mandated program enacted in 2007,
seeks to give addicts a fighting chance. Those chosen are handpicked
for their recidivism, serious drug habits and a history of failed
rehabilitation.

"We take the most challenging of the challenging," said provincial
court Judge Jim Ogle, who spearheaded the court's creation.

"The carrot is an agreement that if they complete the program, the
Crown will not seek a jail sentence," he said.

Those enrolled attend treatment and weekly court meetings for the
court to oversee their progress.

When they're ready, attendees move out into the community where
they're helped with housing and employment. Their recovery is judged
at weekly meetings.

If they've been good, they get a trip to the bucket.

"It sounds corny, but it's a simple thing," Ogle said.

"If you've had a good week, you walk to the bucket where there's a
Tim Hortons coffee card, or a chocolate bar or just a small-value
item as a reward in recognition of a successful week," he said.

Cops have hailed the court, one of only 10 found across Canada, as a
successful step in combating addiction.

"For every dollar invested (in Calgary's drug court), it is between
$2.82 and $4.03 in social return of investment from a justice
perspective only," Ogle said.