Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Tim McLeod (submitted photo/City of North Battleford)

By Austin Mattes

safety and security

Battlefords launch drug treatment court as part of crackdown on crime and addiction; lobby for bail reform

Jul 9, 2025 | 7:22 PM

A major step toward improving public safety and tackling addiction-related crime was made today as provincial and local leaders officially launched a Drug Treatment Court in North Battleford. It’s a move that aims to break the cycle of addiction and reduce repeat offences in the Battlefords and surrounding areas.

The announcement was made at the North Battleford Provincial Court by Saskatchewan Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Tim McLeod, alongside Jeremy Cockrill, the MLA for The Battlefords and Saskatchewan’s Minister of Health.

The Battlefords Drug Treatment Court is an expansion of a program that has seen success in Moose Jaw and Regina since 2006, with more than 150 participants graduating. The new court offers an alternative to incarceration for offenders whose criminal behavior is rooted in substance use.

“Drug treatment courts offer individuals a pathway in recovery rather than incarceration. This model of therapeutic justice provides an opportunity to address the underlying issues that bring people into conflict with the law and support lasting change,” said Chief Judge Shannon Metivier of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan.

To be eligible for the program, participants must plead guilty to their charges and commit to 12 to 18 months of intensive, wrap-around programming. This includes addiction treatment, mental health support, spiritual and cultural guidance, anger management, education, and employment training, all aimed at helping participants overcome substance use and reconnect with their families and communities.

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Minister McLeod called the new court “another step forward for the strong partnership that the courts and province have built to support residents in overcoming addictions and mental health challenges.”

The program is jointly funded, with the federal government reimbursing up to $850,000 annually. Federal Minister of Justice Sean Fraser emphasized the role of therapeutic courts in reducing recidivism and promoting long-term recovery.

“This ongoing support for drug treatment courts not only promotes healing but helps build healthier and safer communities,” he said.

Cockrill praised the Battlefords community for its efforts in bringing the court to life.

“The Battlefords are full of caring and compassionate leaders. The hard work of a community that has brought us a therapeutic court program that will improve the lives of individuals, families and our entire community for years to come,” Cockrill said.

However, therapeutic courts are just one part of a broader crime-reduction strategy being pursued in the region. Today, North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin formally signed a joint letter, also endorsed by Mayor Ames Leslie of Battleford, MLA Cockrill, and Minister McLeod, urging the federal government to prioritize community safety through meaningful bail reform.

“Repeat violent offenders and individuals who commit weapons-related crime continue to make Saskatchewan residents feel unsafe and are a risk to public safety in communities like North Battleford and Battleford,” reads the July 9 letter to Minister Fraser.

Mayor Leslie emphasized the importance of focusing efforts on a small number of high-risk repeat offenders who contribute disproportionately to crime and community stigma.

“We have a few individuals in this community that are four to five years over the age of majority who have over 100 charges,” Leslie said. “Let’s find a solution to ensure they can’t come back on the street to commit more crimes. This bail reform will help us change that image of the Battlefords and hopefully bring more people to our wonderful community.”

Premier Scott Moe added his voice to the strategy, drawing a clear line between those fueling the drug trade and vulnerable individuals caught in addiction.

“Keep the people that are providing drugs and hurting people in our communities in jail. Those who’ve unfortunately slipped into a life of addiction, let’s provide them a recovery opportunity. There are two paths forward, and none of those paths involve living in a very vulnerable state on our streets,” Moe said.

The province is backing these initiatives with significant investments, including $624 million in the 2025–26 budget for mental health and addiction services.

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Austin.Mattes@pattisonmedia.com