Calgary's Police Chief Rick Hanson is proposing a new way of dealing with drug addicts and alcoholics who commit crimes. He'd like to see what he calls "safe jails" -- jails that run secure detox facilities in order to address the inmates' addiction problems. He has a number of supporters. But others are uncomfortable with the idea of forcing people into a detox program.

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PART ONE

It's Thursday, February 17th.

The Liberal Party says after International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda admitted to altering documents, she can not be trusted.

According to Oda, she can not NOT be trusted.

This is The Current.

Drug Addiction Jails - Rick Hanson

Crime has become a highly politicized issue in Canada... there are those who believe that Canada's system isn't tough enough on crime while others maintain there are simply too many people being locked away that are more in need of a different kind of justice.

Now the chief of Calgary's Police force is proposing a novel idea for dealing with
such people... he'd like to see Alberta create a prison that would run as a secure detox facility for inmates with addiction problems. Chief Rick Hanson was in Calgary.

Drug Addiction Jails - Paul Bentley

There are courts in Canada where addicts charged with a crime are often encouraged to go. Justice Paul Bentley sits on Toronto's Drug Treatment Court and he's been listening in.

Related Links:

• Calgary police chief Hanson urges 'safe jails' for drug addicts, alcoholics who commit crimes - Calgary Herald
• 'Safe jail' pilot coming, police chief says - CBC News
• History of Drug Treatment Courts - A Short Synopsis by Mr. Justice Paul Bentley
• Toronto Drug Treatment Court Celebrates 5 Year Anniversary
  

Other segments from today's show:

• Iran Uprising: Panel
• Letters & Theo Fleury