This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Drugs treatment orders extended
06/09/2001
Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs) designed to
reduce drug misuse and related crime will be extended to
seven additional local authority areas as alternatives to
custodial sentences.
Justice Minister Jim Wallace today announced that DTTOs
will be available in the local authority areas of
Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth and Kinross, Angus, Renfrewshire,
East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde from Spring 2002.
The Minister said:
"Drug Treatment and Testing Orders are aimed at serious
offenders who have a dependency on drugs, many of whom will
have extensive criminal records. Many will also have served
time in prison.
"While these Orders are an alternative to custodial
sentences, they are certainly not a soft option for
offenders. Sanctions can be imposed for non-compliance.
"The Scottish Executive has been looking at innovative
ways of tackling the problems of drug misuse and breaking
the cycle of crime but what matters is what works. New
schemes must be effective and I am pleased that the initial
evaluation of these DTTO pilots has shown that they are
making a significant impact on the levels of drug misuse
and associated criminal behaviour by offenders who are
placed on orders.
"This is why I have decided that DTTOs should be
extended to Dundee, Perth and Kinross, and Angus. This will
provide more people with the chance to break the cycle of
addiction, giving them the incentive and opportunity to
change the direction of their lives."
DTTOs were first piloted in Glasgow and Fife Sheriff
Courts last year and a third pilot in Aberdeen will begin
shortly.
The announcement was made today in response to a Written
Parliamentary Question by Brian Fitzpatrick MSP.
BACKGROUND
- The objectives of DTTOs are to: a) reduce the
amount of crime committed to fund drug misuse and b) to
reduce the level of drug misuse. Offenders are placed
on a specialist programme lasting between six months
and three years. Failure to comply with the terms of
the order can result in alternative sentences.
- The schemes announced today are expected to come
into force from Spring 2002 and are expected to provide
capacity for a further 200 offenders to receive DTTOs
in 2002-2003. The Scottish Executive also announced
that DTTOs will be available in Edinburgh,
Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.
- The Glasgow pilot started in February last year.
There have so far been a total of 96 orders. The Fife
pilot has been in operation since July 2000 and has
made 70 orders. The pilot in Aberdeen serving
Aberdeenshire was announced by Deputy Justice Minister
Iain Gray last November and will start shortly.