GUELPH – Stonehenge Therapeutic Community recently announced the Addiction Court Support Program returned to Guelph as of May 6.
The service is designed for community residents whose substance use has resulted in criminal charges. The addiction court support worker offers clients:
– brief motivational counselling to support positive changes in both substance use and criminal behaviour;
– assessment and referral to the most appropriate treatment and support resources; and
– support to understand and comply with bail requirements.
This program, originally piloted for 18 months from the fall of 2015 to March 2017, created a direct link between the justice system and the addiction treatment system by placing an addiction counsellor in bail court. At that time, the program was offered as part of the Community Response to Methamphetamine initiative – a partnership between Stonehenge Therapeutic Community, Guelph Police Services and the Wellington-Guelph Drug Strategy. In a press release, Stonehenge officials note participants in this initial iteration of the program experienced:
– decreased interactions with the police;
– healthier and safer decision making regarding substance use;
– increased ability to meet bail conditions; and
– access to a wide variety of substance use and community services.
“Stonehenge Therapeutic Community would like to gratefully acknowledge the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness and Community Safety, which championed this vital service and advocated for its return to our community,” officials state. “Stonehenge is grateful to receive funding from the City of Guelph ($61,200) and the County of Wellington ($38,800).”
Referrals to this program can be made by defence lawyers, crown attorneys, judges, Justices of the Peace, probation/parole officers, police or the John Howard Society.
For more information about the Addiction Court Support program, contact Kerry Manthenga, clinical director of Community Services at kmanthenga@stonehengetc.com or 1-226- 971-0558.
