Drug treatment in the criminal justice system: Lessons learned from offenders on DTTOs

Abstract

The current paper formed part of a wider evaluation of a stand-alone Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) programme within a UK area probation service. One hundred forty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted over a four-year period with 107 offenders at varying stages of a DTTO in order to sample opinions on and experiences of DTTOs. Overall, offenders reported their primary aim on a DTTO was to become drug free through use of their time, gainful employment and stable housing. They appreciated the sentencing courts’ view of the order as treatment for drug use rather than a punishment for offending, resulting in multiple chances for offenders on the order. Generally, interviewees found the staff support and the activities helpful and viewed drug testing and court reviews as positive incentives to reduce their substance use. The breach process was reported as positive although overly strict. Other criticisms reflected the difficulties with group interventions for such a varied group of offenders, some of whom were more motivated to change their drug use than others. In light of the findings in the current paper, the implications for the Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (DRRs), introduced under the UK's Criminal Justice Act (2003), are discussed.

• DTTO
• drug treatment
• criminal justice system
• offenders

Notes

Notes

1.  Particularly heroin and other opiates, cocaine and amphetamines.

2.  Liverpool, Gloucestershire and Croydon.