Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, and Jason Luan, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, with organizational partners, participants and graduates of Alberta’s drug treatment courts, announced $20 million more to expand drug treatment courts

By The Canadian Press

Province to double funding for drug treatment courts

Nov 2, 2019 | 11:42 AM

EDMONTON – The UCP is doubling its funding for drug treatment courts so as to expand the alternative justice program across the province.

Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer says the government is putting up another $20 million for the courts, which will increase capacity in the Edmonton and Calgary programs to 80 participants from 40.

Schweitzer says the province is also considering adding court locations outside the two major cities.

“Twelve years ago, I was facing a three-year jail sentence due to crimes I was committing to feed my addiction to crystal meth. Today, I am abstinent, living in recovery and employed as a peer support worker with the drug treatment court and Alberta Health Services. The drug treatment court made it possible for me to break the cycle of poverty and addiction, provide a healthy sober home for my four children, deal with the intergenerational trauma and reconnect with my culture.”

Pamela Spurvey, graduate, Edmonton Drug Treatment Court

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Drug treatment courts provide an option for non-violent drug offenders facing a jail sentence of one to four years.

Instead of a regular trial and sentencing hearing, they are provided with a rehabilitation plan and are closely monitored as they receive treatment, testing and social-services support.

The aim is to help offenders recover from addictions and work on personal development and employment skills.