Pubdate: Fri, 02 Jun 2006 Source: Richmond News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006, Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.richmond-news.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1244 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) ONE STEP AT A TIME If you've ever spent a full day in criminal court, you'll see why so many lawyers, cops, and others who work in the social and criminal justice system support the idea of drug courts. Spend a day in court and you'll quickly see that the vast majority of crimes are directly related to addiction to drugs and alcohol. Car-jacking, petty theft, fraud, drug dealing, common assault, murder. More often than not, drug or alcohol addiction is at the root of these crimes. The court system is positively plugged with these people. Sending them to jail may work on a few - some will actually get the message and turn their lives around. But most just end up endlessly circling the courtroom carrousel. Let's face it, some of these people are doomed. They will never get clean, and eventually they will simply die from their addictions. Others can overcome their problems, if offered treatment when they are ready to get it. That's why so many local leaders support the notion of drug court, as detailed in our front page story. Drug court offers criminals a choice: Plead guilty, and instead of jail, you can get treatment. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to overcoming an addiction, and an admission of guilt is part of the equation. But here's a critical point: Drug court in Richmond would be somewhat pointless if there are no local facilities to accommodate addicted offenders. Drug court is the second step. First we, as a community, need to take the first step of accepting the need for treatment facilities, like a detox centre. We don't agree that you can treat someone properly by shipping them out of their communities. An addict or alcoholic is more likely to stick with his or her program if he or she has local support. For the NIMBY crowd who would oppose a detox centre or any other treatment related facility, we ask: Would you rather have people who are trying to straighten their lives out living next door, or needy addicts breaking into your homes and stealing your cars? - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman