CALGARY GETS DRUG COURT

Calgary's first drug court will open its doors on May 10. The drug
court will allow drug addicts who have committed crimes an alternative
to jail time if they agree to intensive drug addiction treatment.

Mark Tyndale, chair of the Calgary Drug Treatment Court Committee,
says drug court will be a 15- to 18-month program, including intensive
residential drug treatment. Those accepted into the program will have
to regularly report to a judge.

Tyndale says the drug court will likely accept addicts who would be
facing a jail sentence "in the range of two years. We want them facing
serious charges so they have incentive to opt into what is otherwise a
major commitment of time," he says.

Participants will also be assessed to ensure they are psychologically
ready for the rigorous program. The focus will be on people with
addictions to methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and
other opiates, says Tyndale.

"I think for the individuals involved it will make a tremendous
difference," he says. "It'll ideally break this cycle of committing
offences, getting jailed and then getting back out again and having
limited options and very little hope. (This) of course repeats the
cycle of getting back into substance abuse and the substance abuse
leads to committing offences ultimately to pay for that addiction,"
he says. He also says drug courts have proven to be extremely
effective in reducing recidivism rates.

The City of Calgary will provide $110,000 in funding by 2008. The
province will fund the judge, court staff and the cost of the
addiction treatment. Tyndale says the drug court committee is hoping
to receive federal funding in the future to keep the court up and
running. The federal government has provided funding for drug courts
in Regina, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton. Vancouver and Toronto also
have drug courts. Calgary's application was rejected.