Another first step to help tackle downtown homelessness and addictions.
An addiction and mental health court program will be launched in Moncton in 2026.
The program will build on court-diversion models and provide broader access to mental health and addiction services. Court navigators will be hired to work directly with Crown prosecutors and people facing charges to assess eligibility. The navigators will also refer participants to appropriate community supports and services, which may include housing. If the treatment plan is completed, charges will be withdrawn.
The program will assist by connecting those who are eligible with resources including community addictions and mental health services, in-reach and outreach programs, day treatments, emergency services, psychiatric services, housing coordinators and income assistance.
The program is voluntary and is only available to those over the age of 18. To be eligible, criminal behaviour must be associated with mild to severe substance use, a gambling disorder or mental illness.
Under the program, 100 assessments will be done per year, and it is not dependent on one judge for monitoring. The program will also offer access to housing and support if needed. This differs from other programs in the province, including one in Saint John, where only 40 candidates qualify, there’s no access to housing support, and the program only deals with mental health concerns.
Vitalité Health Network will play a big role in the program to provide access to the needed services
New Brunswick’s Justice Minister and the minister responsible for addictions and mental health services, Rob McKee, says this is an important first piece of the puzzle, “Looking at expanding the availability of treatment beds for long-term addiction treatment, in the province. We’re working on putting health professionals into family health team clinics. It’s an ongoing work that we’re doing, but I believe that by emphasizing support, accountability, compassion and recovery, we will see success.”
Stats show, over the past 6 years, demand for addiction and mental health services in Moncton has risen by 30 per cent.
Around 20,000 criminal charges are laid each year, 33 per cent of them in Moncton.
Longtime advocate, and retired CEO of of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton John Wishart says much work has gone into bringing this program to the Hub City, and their patience has now been rewarded, “I’m confident that the establishment of the Additions and Mental Health court program in Moncton will prove to be a pivotal point in our work to improve the lives of the vulnerable and protect the reputation of our community. The fact that this initiative includes our judicial system, our health sector through the leadership of Vitalité, social development, public safety, and it has dedicated resources and a housing component, bodes well for its success.”
McKee adds that providing people with the treatment and support they need can help address underlying addictions and mental health issues and will help to break a cycle of repeated arrests and reoffending.
