News Release

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SUPPORT FOR TORONTO DRUG TREATMENT COURTS

TORONTO, February 21, 2008 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development today announced that the Government of Canada will provide funding to support transitional housing for clients of the Drug Treatment Court in Toronto, as part of its National Anti-Drug Strategy.

“This Government’s new two-track approach is tough on drug crimes and also compassionate for the victims addicted to drugs,” said Minister Nicholson. “Drug Treatment Courts are an example of how these two approaches can work together to provide treatment to addicts while ensuring community safety.”

Drug Treatment Courts are special courts that aim to reduce crime associated with drug dependency by providing court-monitored treatment and community service support for offenders with drug addictions. They take a comprehensive approach that includes judicial supervision, substance abuse treatment, random and frequent drug testing and social services support.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto will receive $200,000 over two years to work with the John Howard Society to provide short-term supportive housing for participants involved in the Toronto Drug Treatment Court program.

“Our Government’s philosophy is to try to prevent homelessness and poverty whenever possible,” said Minister Solberg. “But if a person does become homeless, our goal is to immediately house them so they can receive the guidance, treatment and support they need to escape the streets.” 

“Supportive housing is a key determinant of health that provides the foundation for recovery” said Dr. Paul Garfinkel, President and CEO, CAMH. “We are happy to be able to work with the John Howard Society on this new initiative to help people with addictions get back on their feet”.

In addition to the funding provided for transitional housing, the Government of Canada, under the National Anti-Drug Strategy, has committed approximately $3.5 million annually to support Drug Treatment Courts in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Regina.

On November 20, 2007, the Government of Canada also tabled legislation that will impose mandatory jail time for serious drug offences that involve organized crime, violence, or youth. It contains an exception that will allow courts not to impose the mandatory sentence if an offender successfully completes the Drug Treatment Court (DTC) program.

The National Anti-Drug Strategy is a collaborative effort involving the Department of Justice, Public Safety Canada and Health Canada and includes three action plans: preventing illicit drug use; treating those with illicit drug dependencies; and combating the production and distribution of illicit drugs.

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For more information:

• Pema Lhalungpa
  Press Secretary
  Office of Minister Solberg
  819-994-2482
  
  
• Media Relations Office
  Human Resources and
  Social Development Canada
  819-994-5559
• 
  
  Darren Eke
  Press Secretary
  Office of the Minister of Justice
  613-992-4621
• 
  Media Relations Office
  Justice Canada
  613-957-4207