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When Darian Laplante first walked into Regina’s Drug Treatment Court, she was scared, struggling with addiction and focused on getting through each day.
She initially thought the program would be an easier alternative to jail.
“I quickly learned that drug court wasn’t the easy way out,” Laplante said. “It was going to require something much harder for me. I needed to actually change, and changing wasn’t easy.”
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Laplante is one of 152 people who have graduated from Regina’s Drug Treatment Court since it began operating in 2006.
Graduates, judges and others involved with the program gathered at Regina Provincial Court on Thursday to mark its 20th anniversary.
The voluntary program works with people whose substance use has contributed to criminal activity. Participants plead guilty before entering 12 to 18 months of treatment, which includes counselling, court supervision, drug testing and regular court appearances.
For Laplante, who went through the program from 2022 to 2023, it meant confronting trauma, changing her behaviour and learning to take responsibility for her choices.
“I started showing up, taking responsibility and asking for help,” she said. “I started believing that my future could be different.”
Since graduating, Laplante has completed Grade 12, returned to school and rebuilt relationships with her family.
She also works at Kate’s Place, where she once received support, and is working toward becoming a nurse.
Regina’s Drug Treatment Court is marking 20 years. Since 2006, more than 150 people have graduated from the program, which focuses on addressing addiction and breaking the cycle of crime. #YQR https://t.co/G3WuDXe7iX
— Jacob Bamhour (@Jbamhour96) September 25, 2026
Ryan McCorriston also thought Drug Treatment Court would be the easier option.
At 19, he was facing a four-year sentence for his involvement in a drug-manufacturing house explosion.
“One year in treatment versus four years in jail, I figured this has got to be the easy route for sure,” McCorriston said. “I was in for a rude awakening.”
Ryan McCorriston, who graduated from Regina’s Drug Treatment Court in 2014, speaks during its 20th anniversary celebration. McCorriston now leads the program’s alumni group. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME))
McCorriston graduated in 2014 and will mark 13 years sober in October. He later worked with at-risk youth and serious violent offenders returning to the community and now serves as president of the Regina Drug Treatment Court alumni group.
For Susan Sabolski, the opportunity came while she was pregnant and incarcerated at Pine Grove Correctional Centre.
She was facing the possibility of a penitentiary sentence and preparing for a future in which her child could be taken into care.
Drug Treatment Court gave her another option.
“My family got me back. My children got their mum. I got a career and a purpose I never could have imagined for myself,” Sabolski said.
Sabolski will mark 15 years in recovery in October. Her experience eventually brought her back to Drug Treatment Court, this time on the other side of the table.
She now co-ordinates the Battlefords Drug Treatment Court.
Megan Jasper has followed a similar path.
Jasper had spent years moving through the justice system before entering the Regina program. She graduated in 2018 and recently marked nine years without drugs and nine years without committing a crime.
“When I think of addiction, I think of the ripple effect,” Jasper said.
“We always hear about the ripple effect that addiction has and how it destroys families, friends and communities. But what we don’t talk enough about is recovery and how it has a ripple effect.”
Megan Jasper shares her experience with Regina’s Drug Treatment Court during its 20th anniversary celebration. Jasper graduated in 2018 and now coordinates the Moose Jaw Drug Treatment Court. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Jasper now co-ordinates the Moose Jaw Drug Treatment Court.
Judge Noah Evanchuk, chair of the Saskatchewan Therapeutic Courts Oversight Committee, said the Regina program was created after retired judge Clifford Toth repeatedly saw people returning to court for offences connected to drug use.
The court now brings together the justice and health systems, counsellors, probation officers and community organizations to address addiction while holding participants accountable.
“Our program is not easy; it’s meant to be difficult,” Evanchuk said.
Over its first 20 years, the Regina Drug Treatment Court has held more than 1,000 sittings.
For Laplante, its impact is measured by the life she has been able to build since walking through its doors.
“Back then, I was surviving,” she said. “Today, I’m continuing to build that life.”
