NEW COURT FOR ADDICTS

A new Manitoba court will look at ways to rehabilitate non-violent
offenders with drug addictions instead of sending them to jail.
Drug-treatment courts have been operating with success and in
Vancouver and Toronto.

Now the federal government has announced that it will expand the
program to four more cities, including Winnipeg, Ottawa, Edmonton and
Regina.

Offenders who complete a court-ordered treatment would be able to
avoid getting a criminal record.

Winnipeg's drug court is expected to be up and running by the
fall.

Provincial court Chief Judge Ray Wyant estimated they will be able to
deal with between 15 and 30 offenders a year. Wyant said it's
reflective of the courts moving towards a "problem-solving" role.

Under the proposal the courts could impose measures such as supervised
treatment, group and individual counselling and job-training.

The offenders would have up to one year to graduate from the program.
Those who fail or are expelled from the program are returned to the
regular court system.

The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba will be in charge of
administering treatment programs.