Judge tells offender addiction may kill him

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on September 2, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

It may only be a matter of time before a Lethbridge man dies from his drug addiction, a judge warned him during a sentencing hearing in Lethbridge court of justice Thursday.
Matthew Douglas Dragland had to be revived from a drug overdose last month, but it’s not the first time emergency personnel have had to save his life, the judge was told.
“I believe this is the second time on breaches, as well as possession of drugs, where an ambulance has attended,” Lethbridge lawyer Darcy Shurtz said. “He seems to have caught two chances here now with his life.”
On Aug. 22 a security guard at the southside Canadian Tire store noticed Dragland in a parked vehicle, and it appeared he might drive away even though emergency personnel had earlier administered Narcan, and opioid overdose treatment.
Police arrived shortly after and noticed Dragland, who was a suspended driver, slumped over the steering wheel. Concerned he may attempt to drive away, additional officers pinned him in with their vehicles then opened his door and helped him out.
Dragland, who was obviously intoxicated by drugs, admitted he had a knife in his pocket and a hunting knife in his sock, contrary to conditions of a probation order.
Officers placed him in a police vehicle and during a search found him in possession of a sunglasses case containing small amounts of crack cocaine, carfentanil, methamphetamine and Oxycodone.
Dragland, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of breaching probation for being in possession of the weapons, and three counts of drug possession. He was sentenced to a total of 45 days in jail, minus the equivalent of 15 days he spent in remand custody.
“The combination of drugs and weapons for a person with violence on his record is a particularly concerning combination, because people who have weapons and a history of violence, and are under the influence of drugs, are notoriously poor decision-makers,” said Crown Prosecutor Clayton Giles.
Shurtz told court Dragland may finally recognize the jeopardy in which he is putting himself, but noted he has the support of his children and grandparents and he intends to apply to the drug treatment court.
“I do recognize what my flaws and my poor decision-making have landed me, and I do intend to take part in a drug treatment facility to better myself and make myself available for my children,” an emotional Dragland told Judge Erin Olsen.
“All I can do is encourage you to do that Mr. Dragland,” Olsen said. “I can see from your emotion and hear from your emotion that you understand that the longer you use these drugs, the more likely it is that they will kill you.”

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