Winnipeg Drug Treatment Court

The Winnipeg Drug Treatment Court (WDTC) has an ongoing commitment to maintain strong partnerships with community groups, support service organizations, the business sector and other stakeholders.

FAQ's

What are Drug Treatment Courts?
Drug Treatment Courts (DTC) are special courts that divert drug-addicted offenders away from incarceration and towards an extensive supervision and treatment program that involves the judiciary, addiction service providers and community agencies.

How many Drug Treatment Courts are there?
More than 1,600 DTC's now operate in the United States, Australia, the UK and other countries. In Canada, there are now 8 DTC's. Winnipeg Drug Treatment Court was launched in January 2006.

Why do we need Drug Treatment Courts?
Conventional criminal justice strategies have not been able to effect a significant reduction in recidivism rates or the demand for and flow of drugs into our communities. Drug Treatment Courts, however, have proven to be both 'tough' and effective. Offenders who come before the WDTC participate in treatment plans that typically are longer and more rigorous than the probation and/or jail sentences they might receive in a conventional court.

Is it cost effective?
The Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview - Annual report for 2006 states the federal average daily inmate cost has increased from $195.00 in 2000-2001 to $241.00 in 2004-2005. The annual average cost in 2004-2005 for keeping an inmate in a penitentiary was $87,919.00 per year. The cost to maintain an offender in the community rather than a penitentiary is substantially less at $20,320.00 per year.

Does WDTC work like other courts?
In all court rooms - including the WDTC - the judge who presides is in charge. However, the WDTC Judge makes decisions in consultation with a team of experts that includes the Crown and Defence Counsel, Case Manager and treatment and service providers. Like other courts, the WDTC must also promote public safety. All WDTC participants must plead guilty to their charges and work with the WDTC team to design an effective treatment and rehabilitation plan. Participant's progress through the plan is carefully monitored by team members and other service providers.

Who is eligible for WDTC?
The WDTC is available to offenders charged under the CDSA (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) such as possession, possession for purposes of trafficking, trafficking and/or non-violent Criminal code offences.

To be eligible, the offender must be dependent on drugs and their criminal behaviour must have been caused or motivated by their addiction. Offenders who are gang members or who used a weapon in the commission of their offence are not eligible for the WDTC.

How do people apply?
Participation in the WDTC is voluntary. The Defence lawyer and offender complete an application form that is sent to the Crown Attorney's office. The Crown Attorney reviews the charges and any past involvement and either accepts the application or turns it down.

If the application is accepted, the treatment team completes an initial screening interview to ensure that the applicant can benefit from the treatment component of WDTC. If the applicant is accepted, the WDTC will inform the Crown Attorney's office and a court date is set in Drug Treatment Court.

At court, the offender must plead guilty to all charges presented. The Participant is now placed on bail with condition to attend the Drug Treatment Court program. If the Participant wishes to withdraw from the program within the first 30 days, the guilty plea is withdrawn and the offender returns to the normal court process.

What is involved in a WDTC program?
WDTC program lasts, on average, one year although some Participants can remain involved for up to 18 months. Each Participant works with the treatment staff to develop a comprehensive and realistic plan that includes:

Regular court appearances
Periodic and random drug testing
Multi-phased treatment for substance dependence
Counselling - groups and individual
Access to other appropriate services that support rehabilitation such as life skills and employment training and job placement

How are Participants monitored?
Progress is carefully monitored through regularly scheduled court appearances, frequent drug testing and close supervision from the WDTC team.

What happens when someone completes their WDTC program?
To successfully complete the program, Participants must:

Complete all treatment hours specified in their individualized plan
Establish and maintain a lifestyle that supports recovery, including where feasible, employment or education or volunteerism
Maintain drug abstinence for a minimum of four months

At the end of WDTC program, the Crown Attorney will either withdraw charges against a successful participant or recommend a non-custodial sentence, depending on the nature and severity of the Participant's original charges.