On December 1st 1998 the first drug treatment court (DTC) outside the United States opened its doors in Toronto. Over the years, additional courts have started in such diverse countries as Australia, Jamaica and Ireland. There are currently drug treatment courts operating or planned in Brazil, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Trinidad, Barbados, New Zealand, Scotland, Norway, Italy, and Macedonia.

Shortly after the opening of the Canadian and Australian courts a meeting was held in the U.S. with the goal of organizing an international association of drug treatment courts. The International Association of Drug Treatment Courts (I.A.D.T.C.) grew out of that first meeting. The purpose of the association is to act as a “clearing house” for jurisdictions that are considering starting their own DTCs, and require information and/or training. At the same time, the association through its listserv provides a valuable resource to member courts about the latest developments in the field and a handy means of communication with courts throughout the world.

The I.A.D.T.C. holds its annual meeting in conjunction with the American association meeting, which this year will be in Orlando, Florida, June 9-11th. We welcome new members and for more information please contact the Chair of the Association, Justice Paul Bentley at Paul.Bentley@jus.gov.on.ca