DRUG TREATMENT COURTS, BRITISH STYLE: THE DRUG TREATMENT COURT MOVEMENT IN BRITAIN*

Abstract

There has been an uneven pattern of development of drug treatment courts throughout Britain. The Republic of Ireland has a drug treatment court and Scotland will have one by the end of 2001, but there are no drug treatment courts in England and Wales, or Northern Ireland, although in the latter there is a growing interest. It is suggested the Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) in England and Wales has acted as an impediment as this is a very weak version of drug treatment court and was proposed by the Prime Minister when Shadow Home Secretary. Drug treatment courts in Eire and Scotland have adapted their program to fit local conditions, although neither have opted for a fully fledged drug user treatment court on the Miami model.

• Drug courts
• Drug treatment courts
• Problem solving courts
• Judicial supervision
• Drug courts in Britain

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Philip Bean

Philip Bean is Professor of Criminology and Director of the Midlands Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Loughborough. From 1996 to 1999 he was President of the British Society of Criminology. He is the Author/Editor of 20 books and numerous articles, mainly on drugs and crime or mental disorder and crime, and has conducted research for the UN, the British Government and various other national bodies. He has held Visiting Professorships in Canada, the United States, and Australia. He has been reporting on drug treatment courts for the Home Office for the last 6 years.