Pubdate: Tue, 02 Aug 2011
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2011 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Dean Pritchard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

LIFE & DEATH

Sitting in drug treatment court feels like a visit to the principal's office.

Each week, two dozen program participants appear before Judge John 
Guy for a brief face-to-face talk and review of their progress.

Like the best principals, Guy knows when one of his charges needs 
some words of encouragement or when it's time to get tough.

"I view myself as part of the treatment team. I bring the carrot or I 
bring the stick," Guy said.

"My job really is to compliment and support the people who are doing 
well," he said. "The guys who are not doing so well, (my job) is to 
give them, in a nice way, a little s--- that they should be shaping 
up, that they are on the bubble. One of our lines is 'This is drug 
treatment court, you actually have to get off the drugs.'

"That's something some people in the initial stages have a hard time doing."

Guy was part of a team of justice officials that spearheaded the 
creation of a Winnipeg drug treatment court nearly a decade ago and 
has been the court's primary judge since its inception in early 2006. 
Each Tuesday morning before drug court, Guy meets with counsellors 
and lawyers to discuss each participant and their course of treatment.

"I get a written report about each individual ... We go over those 
reports, find out who is doing what, what problems there are, who is 
doing well and who isn't doing so well."

Some participants who are struggling are referred to a residential 
treatment centre until they can stabilize. Others who have returned 
to crime or otherwise not met program requirements are kicked out.

Drug court grads who spoke to the Sun lauded Guy for his caring and 
interest. Guy said it's hard not to become invested in their success.

"There are some you like better than others and you get people that 
seem to be sincere and (working) hard and I do feel disappointment 
when they fall off the wagon or don't do as well as I think they 
should," he said.

"Then there are some you can see think this is a get out of jail free 
card and you get a sense that they are thumbing their nose at the system."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom