BY IAN CROUCH
It's been 10 years since the Hunter Drug Court was officially opened at Toronto.
The court was established to provide a rehabilitation program for drug offenders as an alternative to a full-time custodial sentence.
Since 2011, the court has helped 660 drug-addicted offenders to address the causes of their criminal behaviour through a comprehensive treatment plan.
Last year, 68 per cent of Hunter Drug Court participants were able to turn their lives around and were not returned to custody.
Judge Paul Cloran paid tribute to the Drug Court counsellors, caseworkers, Police, Health, Legal Aid and Corrections staff for helping to make the Hunter Drug Court a success.
"The team deserves applause for the wonderful effort they make to support often hardened offenders who've never had any support in their life, Every success story is remarkable given the lasting positive impacts of the program can have on individuals, their families and the community," Judge Cloran said.
One graduate said if it wasn't for the Drug Court he would be still using, in gaol or dead.
"I has started life anew. I have a family, I have progressed with my career, there is stability in our household, the children are happy," the man said.
