A program aimed at keeping drug addicts, who habitually commit crimes because of their addiction, out of jail and getting them into treatment programs is set to start this fall.
No specific date has been set for the start of the drug treatment court program, however Raechelle Devereaux, manager of the Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy, expects an October start.
She anticipates the program will have five to six addicts enrolled in what is being tentatively described as a pilot project.
Candidates will be referred to the program by their lawyer or duty counsel and will see ongoing monitoring both in the court and at treatment centres such as Homewood Health Centre and Stonehenge Therapeutic Community. Judge Norman Douglas will monitor the court reporting aspect.
It’s anticipated the cost will be about $4,500 per candidate for the full program.
“The main emphasis is they participate in drug treatment,” Devereaux said.
She added the cost of the program is considerably less than the annual $45,000 to house an inmate in jail.
“Typically drug treatment courts are an alternative to prison.”
It’s similar to other programs operating in Toronto, Kitchener and London.
Devereaux added organizers of the local program have been assisted by those operating the three other programs.
“People who participate in drug treatment court have to plead guilty,” Devereaux said of the prerequisite to enter the treatment program. “We are talking about people who have been involved in the criminal justice system.”
According to Devereaux other programs show that it takes about “18 months” to get “the best results” for those undergoing treatment.
The local program is the result of several months of research, planning and development involving federal and provincial crown attorneys, Guelph Police Services and the Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy.
Justice Douglas agreed to lead the weekly program in his courtroom, supporting a fall 2012 program start up.
One of the key components of a drug treatment court is invariably the provision of treatment, Devereaux said.
Federally funded programs have the financial capacity to pay for intensive community addiction services, as well as for residential treatment beds for their participants.
In Guelph Wellington, Homewood Health Centre’s Community Addiction Services and Stonehenge Therapeutic Community have indicated an interest to partner with one another to provide a vital treatment role.
Additional community-based support for program participants is being explored with Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres, the Guelph Community Health Centre and Second Chance Employment Services.
In addition to Devereaux, the planning group also includes inspector Garry Male from Guelph Police Services, staff sergeant Jack Hunjan from Wellington County OPP, Heather Kerr from Stonehenge Therapeutic Community, federal prosecutor David Doney, crown attorney Pamela Borghesan, Cheryl MacDonald with probation and parole, and Elizabeth Renfrew with the legal aid office.
They are currently working together with drug treatment courts from other communities, as well as local service providers to fine tune the program outcomes, admission processes and program phases graduation criteria.
“Stonehenge Therapeutic Community is very pleased to partner with Homewood Health Centre in providing addiction support to the new Guelph Wellington drug treatment court program initiative,” said Cheri Biltz, acting executive director of Stonehenge Therapeutic Community.
“So often clients do not engage in addiction services until they are fully entrenched in the correctional system.
“The many partnerships through this initiative will make it possible for individuals to receive the support they need in a more timely and coordinated way to reduce the impact of addiction on their lives.”
John Wenstrup, clinical supervisor at Homewood Community Addiction Services, added, “Homewood is excited to be involved and to be partnering with Stonehenge on this initiative.”
Inspector Male said Guelph Police Services, “recognizes the importance of treatment for those individuals struggling with addictions and are pleased to have participated in the planning of this initiative, with a goal to both reduce the impact of drug misuse and crime in our community.”
