Pubdate: Wed, 01 Nov 2006 Source: Airdrie Echo (CN AB) Copyright: 2006 Airdrie Echo Contact: http://www.airdrieecho.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1558 Author: Scott Mitchell Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) CONFERENCE ADDRESSES DRUG TREATMENTS Drug abuse and the problems associated with the debilitating addiction was on the mind of many in Alberta recently. The first Canadian Association of Drug Treatment Courts national conference was held in Edmonton in October, with more than 400 delegates and speakers in attendance. Canadian and U.S. judges, lawyers, academics, drug treatment court professionals, Aboriginal and community leaders, as well as representatives from law enforcement agencies and government, were on hand to lend their support and their views on the problem. Drug treatment courts offer programs to assist people who are battling drug addictions and have been in trouble with the law. The first drug treatment court was established in Toronto in 1998. Since then, treatment courts have opened in Vancouver and Edmonton. "Drug treatment courts help stop the revolving door of repeat offenders," said Darlene Wong, provincial court judge and conference planning chairperson. "These programs assist them to gain control of their addiction, find stable housing and begin a job or training program." The conference was designed to increase understanding of drug treatment issues and find ways to help people stay clean. "There is a significant public cost to drug abuse in Canada in terms of law enforcement, prosecution and incarceration," Minister of Justice and Attorney General Ron Stevens said in a press release. "This conference will increase our collective understanding of drug treatment issues and investigate ways to best help those with addictions stay clean and out of the justice system." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman