DRUG COURT PLAN GOES AHEAD

Cash Injection From City Gives Green Light To Alternative Treatment
Program

Despite a lack of federal funds, a drug treatment court has the green
light in Calgary after a homegrown group forged ahead with the idea in
the hopes of reducing crime.

The Calgary Drug Treatment Court Pilot Project kicks off May 10, said
committee chair, lawyer Mark Tyndale.

Four years ago, the feds funded four trials in Edmonton, Winnipeg,
Regina and Ottawa. Those cities each see $1.6 million over four years.

The city of Calgary paid $10,000 in seed money for the plan here and
will pay a total of $100,000 over the next two years in one-time cash
in the bid to curb crime linked to addiction.

The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission and the Salvation Army
are on board to offer treatment and beds to successful applicants.

"We decided to forge ahead without federal funds in a Calgary,
homegrown manner," Tyndale said yesterday.

Ald. Madeleine King applauds the initiative, which will see selected
people undergo intensive treatment rather than jail time, but added
it's a shame the feds aren't funding it.

"Research from all over North America shows that just punishing drug
users doesn't achieve much in the long run because they just return to
the street after their sentences," King said.

Other jurisdictions show recidivism rates for drug users going through
the regular system can be as high as 85%, while those who go through a
drug court, which includes treatment, has a 5% to 10% rate of
offenders relapsing.

King said the pilot project "is a good start," but she hopes the feds
will eventually help.

"We have significant issues in Calgary and are a very significant
contributor to the federal economic success of Canada and we deserve
help and we need it."

There are about 30 applicants -- who face jail terms but do not pose a
threat to society -- for the pilot project, Tyndale said. The province
has given support in-kind, offering probation officers and justice
officials, but hasn't yet committed any money.

Tyndale said he hopes its success will prompt federal funding and
predicts every Canadian city will one day have its own drug program.

Similar initiatives have been successful in Vancouver and Toronto.