SURREY EYES ALTERNATE CURE FOR ADDICTS

Plagued with problems associated with drugs, Surrey is looking at the
idea of setting up a special drug treatment court to deal with some of
the city's addicts. The proposal is among several recommendations made
in a draft report by the Drug-Crime Task Force struck two years ago by
Mayor Doug McCallum.

Task force chairwoman Coun. Dianne Watts said yesterday she supports
the establishment of a drug treatment court in the city, modelled on a
similar court in Vancouver.

"I think we have seen, so far, preliminary data suggesting it is a
resounding success," Watts said.

Watts stressed the Drug-Crime Task Force report is only a draft and
needs council approval. She expects the report will come to council
before the Christmas break.

The Drug Treatment Court of Vancouver, a partnership between three
levels of government, opened in December 2001 with funding from the
federal government.

Martha Devlin, deputy director of prosecutions for the federal
department of justice and the Drug Treatment Court of Vancouver, says
the court has been successful in dealing with drug addicts willing to
participate in the program.

"It has made a difference. It's not the solution to the drug problem
in Vancouver but it's one small part to address the problem," Devlin
said. Devlin said the program is geared toward non-violent drug
addicts charged with street-level drug offences.

To participate in the program, individuals must provide consent and
plead guilty to the offence.

The program lasts about a year with addicts attending treatment
sessions five days a week. Their progress is monitored by the court
and successful candidates - those who have found stable homes, jobs or
are taking job training - graduate from the program. Their charges are
either stayed or they get a non-custodial sentence.

Devlin says the project has had about 22 graduates to date, one of
whom claimed the program "saved my life."

Vancouver's program deals only with adult offenders but Watts says
she'd like to see a Surrey program include youth - something she's
discussed with Solicitor-General Rich Coleman.

Meanwhile, Devlin said the federal government is committed to the
expansion of drug treatment courts in other urban centres.

"They've proven to be successful and looked upon as a viable option to
dealing with some of the problems," she said.