Nova Scotia's Drug Treatment Program gets federal funding until 2018

A year-old treatment program that is giving Annapolis valley-area addicts treatment rather than jail terms will be around at least three more years.

The Court-monitored Drug Treatment Program has received federal funding — $75,000 a year — until 2018. Coupled with support from the province in the way of manpower and space, the program will continue to be an alternative to incarceration.

• Drug abusers to have court monitored treatment program

To be eligible for the program, someone would have to have a serious addiction problem, as well as a criminal charge against them.

The person agrees to plead guilty and joins the program rather than go to jail or serve another sentence.

Participants must appear before a judge every two weeks to have their case reviewed to ensure they continue to make progress.

There are currently six people in the program. Two others have recently graduated from it.

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia Justice Minister Diana Whalen called the pilot project a success.

"It's tough and it's difficult. They are recovering addicts. To succeed and finish that program is a really big accomplishment." 

Although the pilot project has being extended, the program will not be rolled out to other communities.

Whalen said the program still needs more time to mature.

"I'm very excited about the progress here. I would like to replicate it in other communities. But we have to give it a little more time."

The coordinator of the program, Kara Andrews, is happy to see the project continue. She also would like it expanded. 

"I think we could always do more if we had more," said Andrews.