Drug treatment court expanding to North Battleford

Saskatchewan is expanding its drug treatment court to North Battleford in an effort to help drug users recover from their addictions.

The expansion is being funded using $240,000 of the $574 million earmarked in the recent provincial budget for mental health and addiction services.

Drug treatment courts help offenders overcome their addictions after they plead guilty to charges but prior to sentencing. The programs are currently only offered in Regina and Moose Jaw, but around 140 people have graduated from the programs since its introduction in 2006. The North Battleford court is expected to be up and running this fall.

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“When participants have met all conditions for graduation (including over 200 hours of class time, satisfactory treatment progress, a minimum of three months without drugs, six months crime free, involvement in drug-free social activities, employment or school attendance and a long-term recovery plan), they are sentenced on the charges that they originally pleaded guilty to when they entered the program,” the Ministry of Justice explained in a statement.

Susan Sebulsky, who graduated from the Regina program in 2014, said it was a life-changing experience.

“Drug court taught me how to live again, to stabilize from decades of chaos, addiction and criminal lifestyle,” Sebulsky said, quoted in a government statement.

“It taught me to believe in myself and I could accomplish anything. Drug court gave my family back their daughter, and it showed me how to be a responsible parent, drug court saved me from losing the battle with addiction.”

“Increasing treatment options and investing in services to support people dealing with addictions challenges are priorities for the Government of Saskatchewan,” Premier Scott Moe added in a statement.

“Therapeutic courts improve lives, communities and families by promoting proactive and transformative change that give individuals the skills they need to create a successful and sustainable future for themselves.”