Do you have a drug addiction? Are you facing time in jail?

Drug Treatment Court (DTC) combines addiction treatment services and justice system case processing. Individuals facing time in jail/prison for charges associated with a drug addiction can apply to enter this intensive treatment program and avoid up to 5 years in custody by successfully completing this minimum one-year program. Participants in Calgary Drug Treatment Court are provided with treatment for drug addiction, are closely monitored by the court, and are provided with a wide range of services based on an assessment of their specific needs, such as health, mental health, need for substance-use- disorder consultation and medications, reconnection with positive social supports, cultural connection, parenting support, life skills, and help to change patterns of thinking and behaviour.

Participants often find hope for a better life, and along with that, the motivation to make the changes and develop the skills needed to achieve it.

Eligible participants enter a 5-stage program that includes intensive treatment, developing and practicing recovery skills, support for transition into the community and graduation. Participants are required to attend and participate in drug treatment court every 1-2 weeks.

This program is not simply a way to avoid a period of time in custody. It is an intensive program that requires dedication and commitment. It is designed to help participants end active addiction, develop or re-establish ties to family and community, work on employment and vocational skills, and address the range of needs required to end the cycle of active addiction, crime and incarceration in their lives.

The CDTC works closely with over 85 community agencies to provide participants with the services and resources needed to support their progress through the program.

If you are addicted to cocaine, heroin, other opiate(s), or methamphetamine and have been charged with a crime you committed in order to support your drug addiction, this program may be right for you.

You must be 18 years of age or older.

This program is set up to help you achieve goals of recovery by treating the underlying problems that lead to addiction and the loss of control that can ultimately lead to crime. We help you stop the cycle and help you to lead a healthy, productive life in your community, free from drug active addiction and crime.

Some of the benefits program participants commonly experience are:

• Reconnection with family
• Access/custody of children
• Improved mental health
• Improved health 
• Significant reduction in fines
• A positive support system
• Improved self-respect
• Improved problem-solving skills
• Emotional regulation
• Reduced depression, anxiety, fears, sleep disturbances
• Improved financial health
• Mental clarity 
• “Peace of mind”

We will help you to access medically-assisted detox, and medically-supervised safer supply and substance-use-disorder medications, as needed to support you to safely detox and end the use of street drugs. 

The Court will consider charges associated with a drug addiction where the expected jail or prison sentence is between one and five years. Charges may include possession with the intent to traffic, theft, break and enter, or other drug-driven crime.

Individuals with charges involving serious violence, or a recent and/or significant history of violence may not be eligible for the program. The Court will also assess and confirm the presence of an addiction to a CDSA Schedule I substance, such as cocaine, heroin, Fentanyl, other opiate(s), or methamphetamine.

You are required to enter a guilty plea as part of admission into the program. You also agree to delay sentencing on these charges until after graduation (program completion). This will be done by your lawyer or by CDTC Duty Counsel. If you successfully complete the program, the Prosecutor will not seek a jail sentence for you, and you can expect to receive a sentence that does not include going to jail.