The next stage in the Government's drive against drug abuse was given a boost today by the launch of a pilot in two dedicated courts aimed at hitting the scourge of drug induced crime.
Leeds and West London magistrates' courts will pilot a new framework for dealing with offenders who carry out quality of life crimes like shoplifting or vehicle crime, often committed to feed a drug habit.
The framework kicks in when an offender is found guilty and is referred to the dedicated drug court (DDC) for sentence. The same magistrates or district judge will sentence the offender and provide continuity and stability in reviews of offenders on drug treatment orders.
International evidence suggests that continuity of sentencer motivates offenders and leads to higher rates of successful completion of drug treatment orders if defendants know they will come before the same people. An increase in the number of completed orders is linked to a decrease in the incidents of drug-related crime.
The offender will also receive support and treatment from probation and the Drugs Interventions Programme.
The 18-month pilot will measure if dedicated drug courts:
* Reduce drug-related offending;
* Reduce drug abuse; and
* Are cost-effective.
The link between magistrates or district judges and the offender will continue until the drug treatment order is completed. If a breach of the order occurs the same magistrates or district judge will re-sentence the offender for their original offence, considering all options including custody.
Visiting West London magistrates' court in Hammersmith, Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer said:
"The dedicated drug court model we announced today aims to change the lives of people caught up in a vicious cycle where they steal to feed their drug habit, get jailed, come out and re-offend.
"Offenders will see the same faces every time they come for reviews of their treatment order, creating a more informal atmosphere where the goals set in the drug treatment order are reviewed.
"This is not a soft option for drug users who commit crimes. We want to get people off drugs and, therefore, off petty crime, by targeting the reason people on drugs offend. Failure to complete the treatment will result in the offenders being brought back before the court."
The model will also strengthen the combined work of the courts, probation officers, police, drug treatment providers and others by improving the exchange of information in relation to the offender and their treatment by using a set format.
Lord Phillips, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, who also attended the launch, said:
"The pilot announced today provides an opportunity to see if a new, more focused approach will lead to more effective treatment of offenders, in terms of breaking their addiction and preventing reoffending.
"The Home Secretary has emphasised that prison is the place for those who are serious, persistent or dangerous offenders but that for those who are not, and whose offending is not so serious, punishment in the community is more appropriate.
"The aim of these courts is to ensure that those offenders who fall in to the latter category take the first step in turning their lives round, and to help them to get off drugs and lead a productive life."
Posted: 14th December 2005
