The treatment/case management component of DTC is paired with regular DTC appearances, judicial supervision and frequent, random drug testing. The process range is flexible based on individual progress through case plans and includes:
Orientation/Stabilization:
Participants work to establish contact and connection with the Addictions Specialist and Coordinator/Case Manager while establishing a drug testing routine and attending DTC Court weekly. The purpose is to engage participants in creating and refining individual treatment/case management plans and to address any identified factors/needs that may be barriers to participation and treatment.
Treatment/Case Management:
Participants enter active treatment and case management with continued weekly DTC appearances, regular meetings with the Addictions Specialist and Coordinator/Case Manager and random drug testing. Participants are expected to actively engage in addressing their addictions and case management related issues and adjusting case plans as needed. Case management supports and supplements addictions treatment and programming by focusing on compliance with DTC conditions and addressing social issues.
Maintenance/Aftercare:
Participants work towards maintaining drug free tests, having a proven engagement in recovery, effective relapse planning and community support systems to sustain their progress after DTC. Participants maintain random, frequent drug testing. DTC appearances may be adjusted to reflect progress in treatment and case management.
Sentencing/Graduation:
After a participant has successfully progressed through treatment and case management plans and activities, the DTC Team decides on a sentencing/graduation date. Sentencing is intended to be rehabilitative with the DTC Judge taking into account the participant’s progress and treatment benchmarks.
DTC Standards stipulate that a DTC participant is eligible for sentencing/graduation based on:
- A minimum of 9 months in DTC with abstinence from identified illicit drugs for the last three consecutive months, confirmed by drug testing.
- No new charges under the Criminal Code of Canada or Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- Substantive compliance with DTC conditions.
- A demonstrated change in need areas as indicated on updated risk and addictions assessments.
Sentencing and graduation is a formal celebration ceremony including the DCT Team, the participant, gifts and a certificate of graduation from the DTC Judge. The disposition is at the discretion of the DTC Judge and based on the charges for which guilty pleas were entered. On occasion, individual participants may face unique needs and challenges whereby they have made significant progress in treatment and case management plans but have not fulfilled all DTC requirements for sentencing/graduation. The DTC Team and Judge will discuss their progress and may decide to sentence them on their progress to date.
Incentives/Sanctions:
DTCs use incentives and sanctions to encourage a participant’s progress. Incentives are positive acknowledgements of progress, while sanctions are used to address continued violations of release conditions or difficulty in engaging in DTC and can include warnings by the DTC Judge, increase in court attendance or reporting, increased time in DTC and possible breaches of conditions if there are continued violations.
Termination from DTC can result if a participant continually violates conditions, is charged with new offenses, refuses to attend counselling and services or is violent or threatening towards DTC staff. All decisions on incentives/sanctions or termination are decided by the DTC Team.