Drug Treatment Court takes novel approach with addicted offenders
By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on September 16, 2022.
Herald photo by Ry Clarke
The Lethbridge Drug Court looks towards rehabilitation for offenders who have entered the system, helping them through its five phase program.The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) hosted its weekly educational session Thursday focused on Lethbridge’s Drug Treatment Court with presenters Chelsey De Groot and Brett Carlson.
The court functions within the criminal justice system and operates with non-violent crimes that are intertwined with addiction for offenders that face at least one year in jail if convicted.
Launched back in November 2020, the program has only had one graduate so far because of the 12 months it spends with offenders. The goal of it is to help a person get clean, but also get them reintegrated back into society through stable housing and employment, while addressing mental health concerns and other issues they are facing.
“There is five phases that (offenders) have to progress through,” said Chelsey De Groot, regional director for Drug Treatment Courts in southern Alberta. “We do currently have seven people in the program, with room for up to 20. There is a screening process, so there is a timeframe that it takes for someone to get in and they have to be eligible to qualify for the program.”
To be eligible, offenders cannot have violent offences, or be gang affiliated. They must be looking at one to five years of jail time, and willing to be in Lethbridge for the program. There are also certain qualifications for the charges they are facing as well.
“Once a person has entered their pleas of guilty and accepted the facts, I then become their lawyer,” said Brett Carlson, Legal Aid duty counsel in Drug Treatment Court. “Talking with the judge, they will talk about what’s working for them, asking them questions. One question that is always put to them is how many days clean and sober has it been? Once someone says how many days it has been we will all applaud. Its one of the only times that they have come to court and been congratulated and been applauded for their accomplishments.”
Working on a system that helps participants in the program have a good foundation to move forward, they are introduced to a model of sanctions and rewards.
“Incentive based therapy focuses on positives rather than the negatives,” said De Groot. “We all like being rewarded for the good things that we do. But if someone is not compliant with their conditions, then we look at sanctions in court. That can be anything from a verbal warning from the judge, all the way up to revoking bail.”
The program works to help with drug related offenders who are looking to turn things around, while hoping to get them back onto a better path for themselves and those around them.
“It is a wonderful program,” said Carlson. “While recidivists may be good for a criminal defence firm from a business perspective, it is a terrible thing for the community.”
11-10
Obviously not an efficient use of taxpayer dollars. One success in two full years? Really?
DeGroot was one of the big shots at the SCS. Maybe you think they should give her her old job back? lol