Alberta doubles funding to expand drug treatment courts in province

EDMONTON — Alberta is doubling its funding for drug treatment courts so as to expand the alternative justice program across the province.

Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer says the government is putting up another $20 million for the courts, which will increase capacity in the Edmonton and Calgary programs to 80 participants from 40.

Schweitzer says the province is also considering adding court locations outside the two major cities.

Drug treatment courts provide an option for non-violent drug offenders facing a jail sentence of one to four years.

Instead of a regular trial and sentencing hearing, they are provided with a rehabilitation plan and are closely monitored as they receive treatment, testing and social-services support.

The aim is to help offenders recover from addictions and work on personal development and employment skills.

"They have done so much with so little over 10 years and I'm proud today to double their capacity and double their funding," Schweitzer said Thursday. (CTV Edmonton)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2019.

The Canadian Press