Officials tout alternative-sentencing program after first Drug Court graduate

By COLLIN GALLANT on June 23, 2022.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

A man facing 10-14 years in prison on charges that he was part of a major drug ring to fuel his own habit has become the first graduate of Medicine Hat’s drug court – something a defence attorney says is an important milestone.

Through the alternate sentencing system he will spend the next year on probation after pleading guilty and completing 17 months of addiction treatment.

“I don’t think I’ve ever come to court for a sentencing and called it a pleasure,” said attorney Bradley Bellmore, who serves as duty counsel most days in Medicine Hat provincial court. “We’ve lost far too many people in this community to drug problems.

“It’s bigger than one individual, it’s an achievement for our community … to show this program works.”

The local “Drug Court” was created in the fall of 2020 by Alberta Justice as one of five in smaller centres to divert those who frequently appear in court accused of non-violent crimes from incarceration if addictions are addressed and guilt is admitted.

It meets Wednesday afternoon in Medicine Hat in a sort of group-therapy setup.

Earlier in the day, Judge Eric Brooks agreed to a joint submission from Crown and court-appointed defence attorneys that a 27-year-old Medicine Hat man had completed the program, and dropped most charges. He suspended sentencing on a remaining charge contingent on good behaviour and continued progress for another 12 months on probation while continuing to attend drug court.

“It’s been quite a ride, but a privilege to be a part of,” he said. “Thinking about how my life could be going, I’m blessed that I got to be part of the program.”

He was one of seven people charged after Medicine Hat police and the ALERT crime unit raided a trailer in Elkwater and several homes in Medicine Hat on June 25, 2019. They found $65,000 worth of cocaine, magic mushrooms and cocaine buffering agent used to mix ahead of sales.

He was charged along with others with conspiracy, being part of a criminal organization and possessing more than 3-kilograms of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Prosecutors believe his involvement was in part to help procure drugs for his own use, but after entering the drug court treatment program in January 2021, the root cause of the offence has been addressed.

“Looking at the nature of the offence, there’s a starting-point sentence,” said Brooks. “I’m convinced of the Crown’s position this is an extraordinary case.”

The individual has been sober for more than 500 days, has attended two residential drug treatment centres in the last 18 months, is employed and is starting his own business. Court also heard details of his volunteer work that exceeded requirements of the drug court program, and his attendance at recent drug overdose awareness events.

“He’s fulfilled his part of the deal,” stated the Crown’s submission. “His recovery is extraordinary, which speaks to the extraordinary sentence (request) … He’s been monitored by the Crown and the court very closely over the last 18 months.”

Probation will include conditions that he maintain sobriety, stay out of trouble, hold a job or attend job training, stay out of bars or liquor and cannabis stores, and complete any counselling recommended by his probation officer. Several other conditions include a lifetime ban on owning weapons.

A small “graduation ceremony” was held in the afternoon session with others who are taking part in the program.