Addiction and Mental Health - Diversion Services

Adults and youth with a suspected or diagnosed mental disorder who have been charged with a low risk minor offence(s) are diverted from the criminal justice system to appropriate community supports.

This program:

• links clients to long term local community-based services in order to address mental health, addiction, social, physical, education, life skills, and / or spiritual health needs.
• provides short-term treatment by utilizing a number of different treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Brief Solution Focused Therapy, and other treatment modalities as available in line with staff education and experience.

Clients who successfully complete their goals within the allotted court adjournment time (three months for adults and four months for youth) will have their charge(s) withdrawn by the crown.

Clients who are unsuccessful in the program will have their charge(s) returned to court. Recommendations may be provided to the crown prosecutors to assist in sentencing provisions in relation to mental health and addiction treatment.