Released on July 13, 2009
The Government of Saskatchewan will invest nearly $1 million in addictions treatment for offenders this year through an agreement between Corrections, Public Safety and Policing (CPSP) and Regional Health Authorities.
"Substance abuse is one of the major contributing factors to offending," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister Yogi Huyghebaert said. "This funding will help keep our communities safe by giving more offenders the chance to beat their addictions and become productive members of society."
"This partnership will allow addictions treatment to meet the needs of youth and young adults who are in custody and transitioning into the community," Health Minister Don McMorris said.
A total of $858,000 will fund various substance abuse treatment programs for offenders in both Adult Corrections and Young Offender Programs for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
In Saskatchewan, approximately 80 per cent of offenders in custody and 60 per cent of offenders under community supervision have serious problems resulting from frequent substance abuse.
"It is important to invest in people who want to turn their lives around," Huyghebaert said. "With a 94 per cent treatment completion rate among in-custody adult offenders in 2007-08 alone, we know these programs are working well."
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For more information, contact:
Linsay Rabyj
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2626
Email: linsay.rabyj@gov.sk.ca