Red Deer drug court changing lives one ounce of humanity at a time

Rathwell had never been in trouble with the law until coming to Alberta, but had been in and out of jail for three to four years leading up to drug court. He faced more time for two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

“Outside of drug court, you’re basically a number, at least in my experience. In drug court, it’s the same rules around respect, but it’s like a big family actually,” says Rathwell, adding that addiction led to his family becoming very distant — something drug court has partially rectified.

“I lost my job and ended up on the streets. With my addiction and with the people I’ve met, most of us have never been given the tools for success or an opportunity to get where we want to go in life. Drug court is amazing because all the supports work together.”

Growing up in a large family forced Rathwell and some siblings to, “raise ourselves.”

“I wasn’t shown how to live, and addiction wasn’t frowned upon. That’s what I learned from seeing adults come home and drink after a long day,” he shares. “I was in my early teens when addiction got me. When I got into high school, alcohol made it easier to be around people because I was drunk, and life was easier when I didnt have to process emotions. It just grew from there.”

Thanks to drug court, Rathwell doesn’t see himself landing behind bars ever again.

Inaugural Red Deer drug court participant Andrew Rathwell (left) and drug court Judge Robin Snider. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Drug court Judge Robin Snider says Rathwell’s success is fulfilling, even for her.

“We don’t just treat the addiction and tell them to get out. We help them in all aspects; that means securing housing, with finances, getting psychological counselling and physical training — whatever it takes to create that foundation for success, and therefore reduce recidivism,” says Snider, also the assistant chief judge for central Alberta.

“This is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had in court. To feel like I’m making a difference and impacting someone’s life is heartwarming. Drug court is a supportive and motivational environment, and participants tell us it’s the first time they’ve had a judge or prosecutor treat them like a human being.”

Why that doesn’t happen in regular court, she admits, is hard to pinpoint.

“Treatment-based courts are a real shift in thinking,” she adds. “There’s a lot of science behind it, and it’s simply a different way of approaching the people we see every day. But some cases just aren’t meant for this type of program.”

To qualify, one must be facing a sentence of one to five years, have a drug addiction fueling their criminal activity, and the offense cannot be violent in nature.

Such is true for Kerry Gowing, another participant, who pled guilty in July on drug trafficking charges, having served a 3.5-year federal penitentiary sentence in 2006.

“I was 12-years clean, had some difficulties in my life, fell off the wagon, and was arrested again. I was looking at another four to six years in the pen, but was blessed to be accepted into this program because the pen is not a place where you can really put the skills you learn to good use,” she says.

“The last four months, my life’s done a complete 360. When I got out, I had a six-year-old with disabilities, and didn’t have time to think about loving myself. I stayed clean for those 12 years, but what’s different now is I’m learning self-compassion, how to put my skills to use and process emotions properly.”

The drug treatment court is facilitated by John Howard Society Red Deer. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

When participants like Gowing and Rathwell slip up during the course of drug court, there are sanctions. Both, at one point, wrote an essay reflecting on their mistake(s).

Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston, who recently announced he wants the city to become renowned for recovery, says resources to help are on the uptick.

“Participants have yet another option now. With jail, you often come out more wounded than when you go into it, so we hope this is a restorative path for people,” he says. “Recovery is possible. It takes an enormous amount of sacrifice and courage, but we’re now seeing people be able to say ‘I choose to give this a try instead of go to jail,’ and that’s extraordinary.”

Attendees at the celebration agreed that drug court is even something most of the public would find interesting to watch.

It starts at 2 p.m. every Monday in courtroom 101 at the Red Deer Provincial Courthouse.

In 2023, the program is projected to have 20 spaces.

Adds Gowing: “People can change if given hope and faith, and have a team like you do in drug court. It is a hugely different side of the law. Seeing judges and prosecution work with you and say they’re proud of you is amazing. I can’t wait for drug court on Mondays. It’s a phenomenal program.”

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Red Deer drug court changing lives one ounce of humanity at a time

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