Drug addict treatment programme expanded

A scheme to get drug-using criminals into treatment and away from the cycle of crime and drug addiction is being expanded to 36 new areas, the government announced today.

The government has estimated that problem drug users cost the economy between £10 and £18 billion pounds a year – around 75% of crack and heroin users commit crime to pay for their habit.

The Criminal Justice Interventions Programme, which has been running in 30 areas in England since April this year, targets offenders committing crimes to fund their drug habit. They are identified through drug testing when charged by the police, referred to drug referral workers while in police custody and then guided into treatment.

The programme will be introduced in the new areas from April 2004, and is being supported by funding announced earlier this year - £151 million in 2004/05, part of a £447 million package over three years.

The government has said that evidence showed that targeting offenders at all points in the criminal justice system works to reduce re-offending and dependence on drugs.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "The Criminal Justice Interventions Programme aims to cut the destructive cycle of drugs and crime and stop the 'revolving door' between offending and prison.

"Everybody wins. Drug users get help through treatment and support, and communities suffer less from the scourge of drug-related crime."

The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, said that the range of treatments involved were "cheaper and more effective" than repeatedly giving drug users short custodial sentences without the proper support to help them kick the habit.

(gmcg)