The law court that helps addicts get clean
On a recent Friday afternoon, in a criminal court in Brampton, Ontario, a graduation ceremony unfolded.
There were no diplomas or degrees. Instead, at the end of the celebration, the single graduate — a former drug addict convicted of a criminal offence — was handed a probationary sentence.
There were cheers in the courtroom, congratulatory remarks from the judge, gift cards — and a cake.
This was the sixth such graduation in the two-year-old Brampton Drug Treatment Court.
An alternative, non-adversarial, criminal court, it targets drug addicts who pose a high risk of re-offending. It's one of 22 in the country.
Drug Treatment Courts offer people accused of drug-related crimes a second chance. A Get Out of Jail card. Rehab. And an opportunity to turn their lives around.
Those who complete the program get a reduced sentence, usually probation.
Those who don't, serve time for their crimes.
The program aims to reduce recidivism — to stop the revolving door of hard drug use, crime and punishment.
UPDATE:
Justice June Maresca recently retired as a full-time member of the bench. Justice Paul Monahan has sat in the Drug Treatment Court since January 2016, and he will continue to do so. He is committed to working with the Drug Court team to help people living with addiction. As demand for the Court continues to rise, other judges will rotate into the Court.
