Canadas drug courts

Document Type:Essay

Subject Area:Mathematics

Document 1

Initially established in America, drug courts have expanded to several states including Canada. Drug courts were introduced in Canada in late 1998 in Toronto and followed by the second establishment in Vancouver in 2001. Canadian drug courts were established primarily to reduce the number of incarcerated drug offenders and reduce drug-related crimes and drug dependency in Canada. This paper aims at detailing comprehensive research on Canada’s drug courts. Since their establishment in 1998, drug courts in Canada have expanded to various districts aimed at addressing the local community and population drug-related needs. After completing the plan, graduating participants must abstain, comply with the program conditions, and show evidence of skill improvement. Individuals who enter the Canadian drug courts are characterized by substance abuse problems.

Sign up to view the full document!

Research shows that nearly 70% of the State’s drug offenders in Canada have a striking drug-related problem. For instance, in Toronto, 30% of the drug courts participants are homeless, 78% unemployed, and 77% imprisoned. In Vancouver, 13% are homeless, 90% unemployed, and 61% of remanded before enrollment to the treatment program (Somers, Rezansoff, and Moniruzzaman, 2014). Those who graduate from the plan depict a low likelihood to engage in substance abuse re when compared to those who failed to complete the program. Although Canada’s drug courts are abstinence-based, most of the program participants record an exemplary reduction in drug use (Nolan, 2017). Apparently, Canada’s drug courts record reduced recidivism and ill-behavior on drug-use offenders, and that, participating in the drug plan for both crime occurrence and substance -use the result to positive implications than in imprisonment without a treatment plan (Sevingy, Fuleihan, and Ferdik, 2013).

Sign up to view the full document!

Challenges associated with Canada’s drug courts Notably, similar to the intervention methods used by the Canadian criminal justice system, drug courts in Canada use coercion. Participants are coerced to motivate them to participate in the treatment plan to address behavioral and mental - related issues (Lim and Day, 2013). Current and future issues in Canada’s drug courts At the outset, Canada’s drug courts face problems in fully integrating the scientifically conducted modern research and norms in drug- use identification and management within criminal justice and the courtroom contexts when handling crime and substance use (Jozaghi, 2016). Therefore, there is a need for the criminal justice system and legal officials to gain insight and develop constructive responses towards the distinctions of the behavior change process.

Sign up to view the full document!

This will not only aid effective behavioral change but is also critical in leading correctional jurisdictions in the penitentiary service in Canada. Drug courts in Canada record low retention and completion rates pose a significant threat to programs in Canada. The low completion rate is offensive according to any given standards of care especially in the management of high-need populations (Meyer and O’Malley, 2013). R. , Kuehn, S. , & Margaritescu, I. Policy issues regarding the overrepresentation of incarcerated aboriginal young offenders in a Canadian context.  Youth Justice, 14(1), 40-62.  International Journal of Drug Policy, 27, 23-35. Jozaghi, E. Morality versus the scientific evidence: the story behind Bill C-2.  Journal of Substance Use, 21(3), 225-227. Lim, L. Nolan, J. L. (Ed.  Drug courts: In theory and in practice.

Sign up to view the full document!

From $10 to earn access

Only on Studyloop

Original template

Downloadable