FUNDING TO BE ANNOUNCED FOR DRUG TREATMENT COURT

Continued provincial funding for Calgary's drug treatment court is
being announced today.

Additional funding for 2011-12 is going toward the program which
involves rehabilitation, counselling, drug testing and weekly
appearances before a judge.

The drug treatment court, which has been running since 2006, allows a
judge to send addicts who commit non-violent crimes for rehabilitative
treatment instead of jail.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Verlyn Olson is making the
announcement today.

In the past, the drug court has said it needs about $575,000 a year to
operate at a full capacity of up to two dozen clients.

The primary benefit of the program is a dramatic reduction in crime
- -particularly car, home and commercial break-ins -to feed drug habits.

Police have said an average addict pays $2,800 to $3,000 a week to
maintain his or her addiction, often getting money to buy drugs
through the theft of property.

Other costs include incarceration, police services, health services,
victim trauma and social problems.

So far this year, seven people have completed the program.

Five more are expected to graduate in May.

To enter into the program, participants 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.

Once they complete the program, they can expect the Crown prosecutor
to agree to a non-custodial sentence; they might otherwise be looking
at 18 months to three years in jail.