News Release

Government of Canada Supports Drug Treatment Courts

OTTAWA, November 17, 2008 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Canada, today announced new funding in support of the Vancouver Drug Treatment Court. The announcement was made on behalf of Ministers involved in this collaborative initiative, including the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources & Skills Development Canada, and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. This announcement formed part of Minister Nicholson’s participation in the opening of the 2nd National Canadian Association of Drug Treatment Courts (CADTC) conference.

Funding over two years will support transitional housing for individuals addicted to illicit drugs who have come into conflict with the law and have been streamed into the Vancouver Drug Treatment Court system.

“The Government of Canada is determined to take action against illicit drugs through the National Anti-Drug Strategy; a strategy that is both tough on the producers and distributors of drugs and compassionate to those addicted to illicit drugs,” said Minister Nicholson.  “Drug Treatment Courts are an example of how these two approaches can work together to provide treatment to those struggling with an addiction while ensuring community safety.”

Drug Treatment Courts (DTCs) are specialized courts that aim to reduce crime associated with drug dependency by providing 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 service support.

Funding for the Vancouver Drug Treatment Court pilot housing program was provided through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s (HRSDC) Homelessness Partnering Strategy’s (HPS) Federal Horizontal Pilot Projects program. The project was undertaken under the HPS mandate to enhance collaboration with other federal programs and departments whose mandates relate to homelessness. 

"Our government is delivering on its commitment to help those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless," said Minister Finley. “This pilot housing project will provide essential housing facilities and supportive services to give vulnerable individuals an opportunity to build a stronger future."

The Government of Canada, under the National Anti-Drug Strategy, supports DTCs in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Regina.

“We are part of a global effort working diligently towards finding effective solutions in circumstances where criminal conduct arises as a result of an underlying social pathology,” said CADTC Chair, Justice Kofi Barnes.  “Drug treatment courts have demonstrated significant promise as we develop and implement innovative strategies aimed at effecting holistic rehabilitation without compromising public safety.”

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia will administer the funding and work with the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Authority Addiction Services and British Columbia Housing to provide short-term supportive housing for participants involved in the Vancouver Drug Treatment Court program.  The funding will be provided through a partnership between Justice Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

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.

The CADTC is a not-for-profit association that assists Drug Treatment Courts across Canada by gathering and sharing information and evaluations about the effectiveness of DTCs.  The association also acts as a forum through which best practices can be shared and assistance and training to those interested in developing a DTC can be provided.

For more information on the CADTC, please visit: www.cadtc.org.

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For more information (media only):

• Darren Eke
  Press Secretary
  Office of the Minister of Justice
  613-992-4621
  
  
• Media Relations Office
  Justice Canada
  613-957-4207