DRUG COURT GRADS CLEAN AND SOBER

The city's one-year-old drug court treatment program has graduated four
recovering drug-addicted dealers.

The court expects to graduate at least one person a month as the program
continues over the next two years, says the court's program director.

Though the graduation number may seem low, considering 116 addicts have had
contact with the court since January 2002, David MacIntyre said he's
pleased with the results.

"The focus of the program is not just to deal with their drug use; it's to
change their whole life," said MacIntyre, noting that takes at least a year
of treatment. "I don't want to say it's too good to be true, but people are
really making some significant changes... It's stunning, it really is."

Citing confidentiality, MacIntyre wouldn't release details on the graduates
but said they've all been drug-and-alcohol-free for a minimum of three
months and free of criminal involvement for six months. They have stable
housing and are either working or going to school.

Graduation, however, doesn't mean they've left for good. Each graduate can
return to the program on a voluntary basis, and MacIntyre believes some
will work in a mentoring role.

At the graduation ceremonies, many of the program's participants were
inspired by the graduates, whom they know from the street scene, he said.
With addiction being a "chronic and relapsing" condition, MacIntyre admits
the graduates' lifestyle change will not be easy.

"But given the support, these people stand a much better chance than they
did before, and if they need help, we'll certainly be there to give it."

All the participants are long-time addicts, many of whom started using
drugs in their teens. Many are infected with Hepatitis C and HIV and have
criminal histories tied to small-time drug dealing and petty theft. Some
have worked in the sex trade.

They're selected by the federal Crown prosecution office, which approves
charges on drug possession and dealing. In reviewing each file, the Crown
looks for an addict who is selling drugs, committing petty thefts to feed
an addiction, has no history of violence and is a long-time user.

The onerous program requires participants-depending on their addictions-to
undergo weekly random urine tests, take methadone to fight heroin urges,
participate in group counselling, abide by a curfew and stay away from the
notorious drug-dealing corridor along East Hastings near Main Street.

Of the 116 people who chose the drug court route, 18 didn't show up for
treatment and 34 were booted out for not adhering to the program's rules.
Sixty continue to participate in the program.

"You can never tell, you can never guess who is going to make changes,"
MacIntyre said. "I've learned that you can't bet on these folks."

Despite the drug treatment court's success, some police officers, including
Vancouver police Insp. Jim Chu, are wondering when the program will be open
to non drug-dealing addicts. Chu told the Courier earlier this year that he
welcomes the drug court program but is frustrated about the lack of
treatment for other addicts, many of whom break into homes and businesses
to feed their habits.

"The lack of treatment is a big problem and a high proportion of our
property crime is driven by addicts, and if the courts don't jail the
offender and if we don't treat the offender, then the addict is going to
still commit the property crimes," said Chu, whose area of coverage runs
west of Main Street and south of False Creek.

MacIntyre said while the three-year pilot project is currently focused on
helping drug-addicted dealers, that could change once the program is
evaluated in two years.

The program will cost $6.3 million over the three-year period and is funded
by the provincial and federal governments.