1. Drug Treatment Court

2. St. John’s Drug Treatment Court
The St. John’s Drug Treatment Court is
a post-plea/ pre-disposition specialty court
for offenders with serious drug addictions
who commit non-violent, drug-motivated offences.
It will offer :
court – monitored supervision,
drug abuse treatment,
random drug testing,
incentives, sanctions,
intensive case management and social services support.
Goal
to help participants address the root problems that contributed to their crimes.

3. Drug Treatment Court Funding Program (DTCFP)
Federal contribution funding program, under the National Anti Drug Strategy that aims to reduce crime committed as a result of drug dependency
Funds court-monitored treatment and community service support for non-violent offenders with substance use disorders.
Funded the pilot Drug Treatment Court in St. John’s
And the exploration of expanding to other regions of the province
Administered by the Province through partnerships between: Department of Justice and Public Safety, Provincial Court, Public Prosecutions of Canada, Public Prosecutions of NL, NL Legal Aid Commission, Corrections and Community Services, and Department of Health and Community Services – Mental Health and Addictions.

4. PRINCIPLES OF DRUG TREATMENT COURTS
DTC’s based on:
Therapeutic jurisprudence:
attempt to transform the traditional adversarial criminal justice and courtroom approach into a more therapeutic and rehabilitative environment
Believe that: To address crime have to address the root causes
Unifying treatment and court processes is more effective than having the two operate independently
Addictions treatment reduces problems associated with drug abuse related criminal behaviour;
Intensive, frequent judicial supervision enhances compliance and participation in treatment;

5. DRUG TREATMENT COURT HISTORY
First official DTC implemented in the U.S. in Florida in 1989
DTC’s are present internationally including the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Scotland, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Bermuda and Jamaica
The first Canadian DTC was Toronto in 1998, followed by Vancouver in 2001.
Currently there are federally funded DTC’s in BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, and NS.
Other provinces / territories have wellness courts or provincially developed courts.
The Yukon Wellness Court combines Mental Health and Drug Treatment Court
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and other provinces have wellness and Gladue courts ( specific to addressing needs of Aboriginal offenders) combined to address the roots of offending

6. Drug Treatment Court Standards
DTC’s are regulated by Federal Funding standard as well Canadian, National and International Drug Treatment Court Standards.
Provide guidelines for eligibility, standards of operations, treatment, outcomes
DTC STANDARDS:
Integrate treatment in justice system processing
Non-adversarial approach to ensure public safety and protect due process rights
Eligible participants are identified early and placed in the DTC program
Use of validated assessments for risk/substance abuse.
Eligibility assessments completed prior to plea to enter court/program
DTC
Ongoing judicial interaction with each DTC participant is essential
Continuum of drug and other related treatment/rehabilitative services
Ongoing and coordinated case management providing the social supports
Frequent drug screening to ensure compliance
Coordinated responses to client behaviors including swift, certain and consistent sanctions or rewards.
Appropriate flexibility in adjusting program content to unique needs: Women, Indigenous people and Ethnic groups
PROCESS
Monitoring and evaluation processes
Continuing inter-disciplinary education in DTCs
Collaborative Partnerships

7. COURT SUPERVISED DRUG TREAMENT 9 – 18 months to complete after Plea
SJ DTC PROCESS
COURT SUPERVISED DRUG TREAMENT 9 – 18 months to complete after Plea
ARREST & APPLICATION
Charge ● Application ● Crown Screening ● Risk and Treatment Assessment for Eligibility
ADMISSION
Guilty Plea ● Admission ● DTC Release Conditions ● Individual Treatment and Case Management Plans
TREATMENT & SUPERVISION
Treatment ● Frequent Court appearances ● Urinalysis ● Case management/services
GRADUATION/SENTENCING
After a defined period of abstinence and adherence to case plan

8. Participants Eligibility:
Person charged with a criminal offense with an addiction to drugs such as:
methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin or other opiates.
Person is identified as a high risk to relapse /reoffend
Outstanding, non-violent, Criminal Code charge or Controlled Drug and Substances Act charges :
Theft, B&E ( non-residential), possession, trafficking , other related offenses at discretion of Crown, and DTC Team
Crown screening is done at front end and screens for violent offenses, trafficking for financial or commercial gain etc.

9. Drug Treatment Court Team
Team approach: DTC Team: Judge, Federal and Provincial Crowns, Legal Aid/Defence, Treatment and Case Manager Team meetings before each court appearance Discussion on issues and how to resolve them Use of incentives and sanctions to address behavioural issues Less emphasis on compliance more on addressing what is going on
Failure to attend treatment – why person didn’t attend rather than non compliance – then issue addressed by team, judge, treatment and case management

10. Treatment Component
People are paired with treatment and supports to address their needs
* DTC Recognizes problem substance use is a chronic, relapsing condition
Relapse is expected and viewed as a treatment issue.
Focus is on honesty and engagement
* People are more likely to engage and continue after positive interactions
Motivational interviewing
Trauma informed practices
* Flexibility in Treatment : Working with the person to determine best treatment match
Individualized treatment plans using holistic approaches
* Treatment paired with effective case management strategies to target need areas

11. Case Management
Ongoing and coordinated case management provides necessary social supports
Based on National DTC Standards
Intensive community support
Individual case management plans
Addresses multiple and complex needs e.g.:
Supervision and support for release conditions as a function of participation in court
Housing, financial support, education/employment
Aid development of general stability in social determinants of health

12. DTC Component Participants appear in court weekly
Judge is involved with each individual
Speaks with each participant
Participants encouraged to speak openly with Judge
Informal process
Judge uses incentives /sanctions to address any behavioural issues
Designed by DTC at team meeting and can include:
Incentives for attending, doing well, progress
Sanctions for condition violations – usually include changes in supervision, activities etc
Goal is to encourage honesty, active participation and progress in case plans

13. Sentencing/Graduation
9-18 month process
Person has to complete treatment and case management plan
Has to have active participation in Court appearances
Sentencing – Determined by Court and original charges
Supplemented with community follow - up
Graduation usually includes a ceremony, celebration of completion.

14. What does all that mean ??
Person can access court provided /supervised treatment and case management prior to being sentenced
DTC Team involves Judge, federal and provincial crown, defence, treatment provider and case manager
Person is screened and assessed for eligibility requirements and if they are interested in participating
Person pleads guilty only after consultation with lawyer,
There is a 60 day grace period after plea ( to determine if they can commit to program) if not the pleas are struck and they return to regular court without prejudice
Court appearances, treatment, case management and drug screening are all essential components
Court process is integral part of treatment /case management which are integral parts of court process
Weekly Team meetings prior to court are essential and involve discussions on progress, issues, incentives, sanctions etc.
Goal is drug free for minimum of 3 month and no new criminal involvement to finish or graduate
Emphases connection and involvement in participants lives

15. Additional resources
Canadian Association of Drug Treatment Court Professionals National Association of Drug Treatment Court Professionals International Association of Drug Treatment Courts Drug Treatment Court - Brampton