POLICE EYE ADDICT COURT

Calgary could benefit from a special court that emphasizes treating
rather than incarcerating addicts, says Calgary's top drug cop who's
studying the system in other cities.

If drug treatment courts pay dividends in Toronto and Vancouver where
they're being tested, a similar system should be established here,
said Staff Sgt. Roger Chaffin.

"We're looking at it in a preliminary sense . . . we're watching and
seeing what the successes are like," said Chaffin, who was recently in
Toronto studying the concept.

Addict court focuses on counselling and bringing hardcore drug abusers
back into society's fabric using incentives to wean them from their
destructive behaviour, said Chaffin.

It's hoped violent crime and theft associated with drug abuse will be
reduced if addiction is treated as a health or social problem rather
than solely as a criminal issue.

"In addict court, there's a much more open relationship between the
bench, lawyers, guidance and mental health counsellors," said Chaffin.
"The hope is if you get them off the addiction cycle rather than
arresting them . . . it'll break the cycle of recidivism."

But the spectre of criminal punishment would still be present in the
system, particularly for those who refuse rehabilitation, he said.
Establishing an addict court system would require the participation of
the provincial and federal governments, said Chaffin, who added its
use is widespread.

"They are running all over the U.S.," he said.

Chaffin said Vancouver, with its huge population of intravenous drug
users, is just embarking on its version of addict court.

He said such a court in Calgary would likely focus primarily on
abusers of cocaine, which is a more prevalent locally as an addictive
hard drug than is heroin.