Drug Treatment Court is an intensive one-year(minimum) court-supervised program that sees participants completing drug treatment rather than being incarcerated.
This week marks National Addictions Awareness Week. Legal Aid Alberta supports fairness in the criminal justice system through active involvement in Alberta’s therapeutic courts. Our dedicated staff duty counsel lawyers play a crucial role in Drug Treatment Courts across the province, representing Albertans accepted into the programs and helping them break free from the cycle of addiction and crime.
Drug Treatment Court is an intensive one-year (minimum) court-supervised program that sees participants completing drug treatment rather than being incarcerated. Successful graduates reintegrate into the community with access to secure housing, employment or schooling, and the tools to continue their recovery.
These courts have been operating in Edmonton and Calgary since 2005 and 2007. In 2021, Legal Aid Alberta helped open new Drug Treatment Courts in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Grande Prairie. Participants undergo rigorous programs involving frequent drug testing, curfew checks, community service, and addiction treatment.
As Sonia Haer, a Legal Aid Alberta staff duty counsel lawyer, explains, “A lot of the graduates say that going through Drug Treatment Court is harder than going to jail.” She highlights the dedication of the Drug Treatment Court teams, describing the participants’ journey as “a hard, beautiful process.” Haer adds,“People start being present in their own lives—it’s amazing to witness.”
The theme for this year’s National Addictions Awareness Week is “Forgoing Connections”. For those struggling with addiction, the journey can feel isolating, often leading to a disconnection from family, friends, and community. This week, join us in recognizing the transformative power of the Drug Treatment Court Services and honoring individuals committed to changing their lives.
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