Edmonton Drug Treatment & Community Restoration Court

The concept for a drug treatment court in Edmonton was first examined by Her Honour Judge Darlene Wong (Provincial Court of Alberta, Edmonton Criminal Division) in November 2001. Judge Wong held preliminary discussions with the Federal Prosecution Service and Dr. Cameron Wild at the University of Alberta (the Chair of the Program Evaluation Working Group and head of the evaluation team). The Edmonton Drug Treatment Court Steering Committee was formed in February 2002 after (then) Chief Judge Ernest Walter endorsed the project and agreed that Judge Wong could spearhead the matter. 

More than thirty agencies and community groups attended the initial Steering Committee Meeting, and the vast majority stayed active to help formulate and support the development of the Edmonton DTC Program. The Steering Committee met on a frequent basis until it dissolved itself on November 4, 2005. In 2003, the Steering Committee formed a Working Group, which met as required. The Working Group was comprised of:

• The Honourable Judge Darlene Wong, Provincial Court of Alberta
• Brad Odsen, Executive Director, The John Howard Society of Alberta
• Kate Quinn, Executive Director, Prostitution Awareness and Action Foundation of Edmonton (“PAAFE”)
• Allan Aubry, Director of Program Services (Edmonton and Capital Region), Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (“AADAC”)
• Laura Stevens Q.C., Barrister and Solicitor, Criminal Trial Lawyers Association of Edmonton
• Wes Smart Q.C., Director, Federal Prosecution Service, Alberta
• JoAnn McCartney, Psychologist, and C.O.A.R.S.E. Diversion Coordinator, Prostitution Awareness and Action Foundation of Edmonton
• Neil Skinner, Executive Legal Counsel, Office of the Chief Judge, Provincial Court of Alberta