TORONTO, May 29, 2003 - The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Martin Cauchon, and the Minister of Health Anne McLellan announced today that the Government of Canada will provide up to $23 million over five years to expand its drug treatment court (DTC) program as part of the renewal of Canada's Drug Strategy. The strategy takes a balanced approach to reducing both the demand for, and supply of, drugs.

"Drug Treatment Courts represent an innovative approach to helping drug offenders end the cycle of addiction, criminal behaviour and jail," Minister Cauchon said while announcing the new funding.

"The Government of Canada is committed to a national drug strategy that addresses addiction and promotes public safety. Drug treatment courts are an important part of this strategy," said Minister McLellan. "In partnership with the provinces, territories, communities and stakeholders, the Government of Canada will continue to promote education programs and the interventions designed to discourage and treat substance abuse."

The renewal of Canada's Drug Strategy ($245 million over five years) includes legislative reforms that will modernize the way that Canada enforces the law, providing for alternative penalties against possession of small amounts of cannabis, and creating new tougher penalties for marijuana grow operations. It also addresses underlying factors associated with substance use and abuse, and includes education, prevention and health promotion initiatives.

The investment in drug treatment courts will support the ongoing operation of Canada's existing courts and establish as many as three new ones. The new courts will begin operations in 2004, joining the existing courts in Toronto, established in 1998, and Vancouver, established in 2001. The location of future sites will be determined in the coming months.

The Toronto and Vancouver Drug Treatment Courts have shown promise in reducing addiction and recidivism. "Although these results are still preliminary, today's investment will permit researchers to implement and continue an evaluation program that will measure the long-term effectiveness of drug treatment courts," Minister Cauchon said.

The Minister noted that the goal of the drug courts is to reduce the burden of substance abuse on the Canadian economy which has been estimated at $9B annually for areas including health care law, law enforcement, prosecution and incarceration.

A drug treatment court is an innovative court program within the legal system that emphasizes the treatment rather than the incarceration of addicts. Participants follow a structured outpatient program designed to reduce their dependence on illegal drugs. By helping non-violent offenders overcome their addictions and improve their social stability, the program reduces the criminal behaviour associated with substance abuse. If unsuccessful, an offender will be sentenced as part of the regular court process.

"The challenge is to ensure that the administration of justice remains flexible, encouraging creative and lasting solutions. The drug treatment courts are a testament to how well governments, communities and individuals work together to reduce crime by dealing with its root causes," concluded Minister Cauchon.

The Government of Canada will continue to work in partnership with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, addiction agencies, non-governmental organizations, professional associations, law enforcement agencies, the private sector and community groups to ensure that Canadians can live in a society increasingly free of the harms associated with the abuse of drugs, as well as alcohol and other substances.

For more information on Drug Treatment Courts go to: http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/pb/prog/dtc/

For more information on Canada's Drug Strategy go to:
http://www.healthcanada.gc.ca

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Ref:

Mike Murphy
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice
(613) 992-4621

Farrah Mohamed
Communications Director
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200