Pubdate: Wed, 27 May 2009 Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2009 Canwest Publishing Inc. Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66 Author: Daryl Slade Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) SUCCESS OF DRUG TREATMENT COURT TOUTED Province Puts Another $800,000 Into Program If it wasn't for an innovative drug treatment court, Kieran might never have pulled himself out of a six-year crystal methamphetamine gutter. The highly addictive drug cost him his half-share of a two-section ranch that included 500 head of cattle. He lost his friends, family and his own dignity, he said at the court's two-year anniversary celebration luncheon Tuesday. Due to success stories like Kieran's, Calgary Edgemont MLA Jonathan Denis's simultaneous announcement that the province is spending another $800,000 on the program was well received. "Why would I even touch crystal meth? To this day, I still ask myself that,"said Kieran, 31,whose full name cannot be used. "I remember when I was a kid, my dad said to me: 'The beautiful thing about life is choices. One bad choice cost me it all.' " Kieran was one of four drug treatment court participants presented by the court's executive director, Linda Edney, to legal officials, community support groups and dignitaries. Provincial court Judge Jim Ogle, who presides over the court every Thursday morning, said the primary benefit of the program is a dramatic reduction in crime--particularly car, home and commercial break-ins --to feed drug habits. "From a personal point of view, what fulfils me in the courtroom is the changes in lives I see happening right before my eyes," said Ogle. "I see how they progress, how they want to progress, how they reverse relationships with family, how they get back with physical ability to work again and desire to work, how they take such pride in getting their own residence, how they want to succeed." Ogle said the program is no cake-walk, but an added benefit is once participants complete it, they can expect the Crown prosecutor to agree to a non-custodial sentence, where they might otherwise be looking at 18 months to three years in jail. Participants, he said, must plead guilty to the offence, stay drug-free for six months, pass drug tests, take part in counselling, have a residence and support system in the community, and maintain employment. Mark Tyndale, the court's board chairman and a defence lawyer for 25 years, said there are 11 participants benefiting from the program. "Many of my clients have addiction-driven charges, committed to pay for or support their habit," Tyndale said. "In jail, there are virtually no addiction treatments. Drugs are available in jail, temptation is there, and it's often a breeding ground for criminal techniques. Everybody knows jail doesn't work.There has to be another way and this is a viable option." City police Staff Sgt.Ryan Ayliffe, a member of the court team that meets once a week, says statistics show there is about $4 million worth of property crime committed every month in Calgary. "I've done checks and some of these potential (participants) are committing an average of one offence a day, so this makes a lot of sense." Ayliffe said. - --- MAP posted-by: Doug