Drug Interventions Programme
The drug intervention programme refers to a key strategy of UK in countering drug abuse. Its goal is to enroll drug offenders into addiction treatment as well as other support initiatives with the aim of reducing harm linked to drugs and to reduce drug offenses as well as drug related unruly behavior. Drug intervention programme is among the decade-long drug strategy of the government and was introduced in 2003
Drug Interventions Programme also known a DIP is the central initiative for crime reduction by engaging drug offenders in treatment and drug rehabilitation. Various methods are employed in the process. These include coercive treatment like the Tough Choices program, as well as other more traditional approaches.Class A drug-misusers are are determined via the Criminal Justice System and are guided towards treatment as well as full support. Key drug interventions programme partnerships include that with the police, prisons, probation service, courts as well as other agencies related to criminal justice and the Department of Health and National Treatment Agency.
Over £500 million has been spent on drug intervention programme over four years. The program has manifested effectiveness in its goals. Acquisitive crime that is for the most part linked to substance misuse has dropped by 32 per cent in since 2003. Areas where DIP activity is more intensive, crime has been shown to fall faster compared to areas where DIP activity is less intensive.
Some portions of the Drugs Act 2005 were piloted in December of that year at different drug intervention programmes in the country. It was billed “Tough Choices,” which consisted of a “Test on Arrest” process, a “Required Assessment” procedure as well as a “Restrictions on Bail” extension scheme that was legislated under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, Section 19. Tough Choices has been implemented in England and Wales since April 2006.
Under the PACE or Police and Criminal Evidence Act of 1984, police had been permitted to conduct drug tests among detained prisoners since that year. A mandatory drug test for each arrested individual for specified trigger offences—that manifest to have a distinct association with substance misuse like that of theft and burglary—has been introduced by the Drugs Act of 2005 . Up to three months in custody as well as a fine of £2,500 can be imposed who those who refust to take a “non-intimate saliva sample” test. Those who test positive were obliged to go through a “Required Assessment” with a drug worker from the local drug intervention programme. This assessment has two parts.
Those who tested positive were mandated to have a single appointment with a drug worker. Although a Follow-up Required Assessment” was stipulated in the Drugs Act of 2005, the measure was only implemented since March 2007. Three months in prison or a fine of £2,500 awaits those who fail to attend either appointments.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Justice Act of 2003 introduced restrictions on bail. This reversed the presumption stated in the Bail Act of 1976 to any individual who tested positive for a class A drug, unless such individuals agree to go through assessment as well as treatment with their local drug intervention programmes across the period of their bail in court. This compelled courts to apply a condition on bail that obliged such individuals to go to local drug intervention programmes.This is aimed at preventing offence on bail. Nonaccomplishment of this condition can lead to denial of further bail in court. Restrictions on Bail is implemented across United Kingdom.
More information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_Interventions_Programme
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100419081707/drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/drug-interventions-programme/