Drug Treatment Court Saved My Life

Editor’s Note - with most of the attention and media seemingly dedicated to the COVID - 19 pandemic there has been a turning away from another epidemic sweeping Moose Jaw and silently destroying lives and driving crime. To help in the fight against the epidemic which is claiming so many lives MJ Independent runs the following.

It is a bit of a lengthier read but it may be what many people and their families and friends have been searching for - a way out of Meth.

Submitted by Moose Jaw Crystal Meth Strategy Committee

Two individuals who have lived tragic experiences with crystal meth addiction credit Drug Treatment Court (DTC) for saving their lives. 

Meagan, a 31 year old female who has been clean and in recovery for 3.5 years, started using crystal meth at age 16.  She participated in the Regina Drug Treatment Court in Regina for 13 months starting in 2016 and she stated that program gave her the stability and structure that she needed to be accountable and to recover from her drug addiction. 

DTC required her to live in an approved sober-living residence with curfews, participate in programming every weekday, and do random drug tests.

Programming involved lots of group work including Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) which Meagan states “helped me change the way I think.  I don’t think I’m a victim of my circumstances anymore and (MRT) taught me to go from dishonesty to honesty.” 

Programming helps the participants learn about their addiction and make the necessary changes to their thinking, behavior and lifestyle.  

Meagan also found that it was extremely helpful to have other individuals in the program at different stages of recovery.   She found that support from her peers, those with lived experience in addictions, brought a different level of credibility. “Being called out by your peers was helpful” she claims. 

According to Meagan, DTC is very different from ‘regular’ court. 

In DTC the team members are encouraging, friendly and supportive. 

Meagan was initially surprised when she watched other DTC participants tell their stories and the team members would cheer and clap upon hearing the participants’ positive progress. “(the DTC Manager) smiled at me and this took away my fear.  People typically don’t smile or clap in court”.  

A proud moment for Meagan happened when she graduated from DTC after 13 months in the program.  Her family, with whom she had experienced some periods of estrangement, attended.  

Another individual, Chad, graduated from Moose Jaw Drug Treatment Court in February 2020 after 13 months in the program. 

He admitted that his addiction to crystal meth caused him to ‘lose everything’ including his relationships and finances. 

When he was on crystal meth Chad claimed “I didn’t care about my life or the trouble I was getting in” and he started selling drugs to support his habit.  Consequently, he faced serious legal charges which led to the opportunity to participate in DTC.  It took Chad a couple of months in the assessment phase of the program to clear his thinking enough to make the commitment to make genuine efforts to his recovery. 

When asked about what was helpful about DTC, Chad explained that the accountability to the court system, mandatory treatment, random drug screens and support team all contributed to his recovery.

The MRT helped him to “look back on decisions I made and made me think about things like ‘was it worth it?’”  Learning about relapse prevention and getting involved in community (i.e. helping with the feeding program at Riverside Mission) also helped him become stronger and healthier.  

Graduation from DTC was “bittersweet” for Chad.  Though he takes pride that his participation in DTC was one of the most important accomplishments and highlights in his life he was sad to lose the supports and people in the program who helped him along the way.  Chad asserts that DTC “ultimately saved me”.  

Both Chad and Meagan are strong advocates for the province of Saskatchewan to increase funding to DTC so that others who are struggling with legal issues and addictions have access to this program that saved their lives. 

SEE RELATED - A Day In Drug Court

What is the Moose Jaw Drug Treatment Court? 

Moose Jaw Drug Treatment Court (MJDTC) is an alternative to secured custody for individuals who have a drug addictions that contributed to one or more criminal charges. 

Potential program participants must plead guilty to the offenses to be eligible for DTC.   The program, which typically lasts between 13 to 18 months, provides support, structure and expectations to assist up to 8 individuals in their addictions recovery while holding them accountable for their criminal charges.  

The Moose Jaw Drug Treatment court program (MJDTC) started in 2009 and is provincially funded by the Ministry of Justice.

The MJDTC is supported by in-kind programming partnerships with Saskatchewan Health Authority (Mental Health and Addictions), John Howard Society, the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Legal Aid and the Ministry of Social Services.   

MJDTC is a team process involving crown prosecutor(s), defence lawyer, judge, MJDTC program coordinator, addictions counsellor, probation officer and income assistance worker. 

The designated Crown determines eligibility for the program.  Referrals are initiated by Crown prosecutors and submitted to the Probation Office connected to the Drug Treatment Court.  The application is vetted before approval. 

Anyone on the team might suggest an individual is considered for DTC and the team will decide collectively the individual’s readiness for the program. 

Once admitted to the program, DTC participants attend court twice a month to report to the team on their progress.  

Progress in their program brings about rewards such as extended curfews and reduction of conditions.  Sanctions, such as increased conditions, short periods of remand or community service work, may be imposed when the DTC expectations are not followed. 

Participants also attend the Matrix program, an intensive out patient treatment group offered by SHA that focuses specifically on treatment and recovery from stimulant use.

The DTC program is a lengthy commitment. 

The participant progresses through the program based on a combination of clean screens and completing program requirements. 

A participant’s journey through DTC starts with an assessment phase that lasts a minimum of 30 days. 

In this time the participant, as well as the Court, decide if DTC is the right fit for participant.  Once a participant completes the assessment phase and are accepted into DTC, they will enter Track one. 

The program consists of the assessment phase and three tracks. 

Progress through tracks are determined by various criteria and there is no maximum amount of time that can be spent in each track. 

Once requirements for a track is completed, a participant will make an application to the treatment team to move to the next track.  Graduation from DTC occurs once completion of all track requirements occur.  Random urine screens are an integral part of the program.

DTC participants who have not been able to demonstrate progress may be returned back into the traditional court system. 

Who are we?

The Moose Jaw Crystal Meth Strategy Committee is a network of several human service organizations and community members that are interested in promoting awareness on the dangers and preventing the use of crystal meth.  2021 is the year to ‘SPREAD THE WORD ON METH’ and the committee is asking for assistance from community members.  

Please follow us on Instagram @mjcrystalmethstrategy and join the Facebook page and group (Moose Jaw Crystal Meth Strategy Committee).  Community members can help by sharing the daily posts so we can SPREAD THE WORD ON METH!!

Keep tuned in for the launch of Stop Mething Around, a video featuring front line workers and two individuals sharing their stories on their crystal meth addictions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH71LlAhVbU





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