Study will assess drug court to cut addiction crime in Newfoundland and Labrador – CP

Source: The Canadian Press
Jul 7, 2016

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. _ The federal government has announced $30,000 for a study to assess whether a drug treatment court would cut addiction crime in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Such courts in other provinces are similar to mental health and domestic violence courts.

They offer alternatives to jail time while aiming to reduce crimes motivated by drug abuse.

Those measures include judicial supervision, addiction treatment, case management and social services.

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said in a statement the goal is to help eligible, non-violent offenders break the cycle of drug use and offences.

Investigators in the province have said prescription drug addiction is a major issue that motivates break-ins and other crimes.

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