Edmonton Drug Treatment & Community Restoration Court

Because of its unique position in the criminal justice system, a drug treatment court is especially well suited to develop coalitions among private community-based organizations, public criminal justice agencies, and addiction treatment delivery agencies. Forming such coalitions expands the continuum of services available to drug court participants and informs the community about drug court concepts.

The EDTCRC has created a partnership among organizations, including public, private, and community-based, which are dedicated to a coordinated and cooperative approach to the participating offender. The program fosters system-wide involvement through its commitment to share responsibility and the participation of DTC Program partners. As a part of and as a leader in the formation and operation of community partnerships, drug courts can help restore public faith in the criminal justice system. It is during the period of judicial supervision that the Court has the opportunity to set the participant on a long-term course to change their life. The farther along this course or path that the participant reaches, while supervised by the Court, the higher the likelihood that a fundamental change can be achieved.

The continuing care elements of the EDTCRC program are crucial to giving the participant the tools, confidence and contacts necessary to effect fundamental change. Key partners in achieving this element of the Program include the Edmonton John Howard Society, the Edmonton Elizabeth Fry Society, the Salvation Army, Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Metis Family and Social Services, Distinctive Employment Counselling Services of Alberta (“DECSA”), the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, the Bissell Centre, the Boyle Street Cooperative, and Native Counselling Services.

Participants no longer subject to judicial supervision will be given the opportunity to seek the assistance of the Court Team and Program Staff in continuing their rehabilitation and restoration in the community. Services available to all citizens will encouraged to be sought by post-supervision participants, including continuing addiction treatment, counselling, language skills and employment programs, recreation, and housing. This element of the Program is considered vital to long-term success. As time passes, the social return on investment will be more and more significant. Research in determining the quantum of social return on investment is supported by contract with the Edmonton DTC program, as an adjunct to the evaluation and performance measurement activities.

 

Using some of the core partners and a growing set of Alumni, a Mentor Program is envisaged to continue providing a hand up to participants as they progress to the next stages of their lives.

 

Alumni programs, including participation on the Strategic Planning Committee, the formation of an Alumni Association and assistance to the Court Team are another means of promoting restoration. Experimental pilot alumni have already taken a lead role in these activities.