This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Evaluation of drug treatment orders
03/10/2002
The introduction of Drug Treatment and Testing Orders
(DTTOs) has had a significant impact in dealing with
offenders who commit crime to feed their drug habit,
according to research published today.
An evaluation report, carried out by the University of
Stirling on behalf of the Executive, confirms that DTTOs
have shown a decrease in offending and in drug taking among
offenders placed on an Order in the two pilot areas of
Glasgow and Fife.
Deputy Justice Minister Dr Richard Simpson, said:
"Drug Treatment and Testing Orders are aimed at serious
offenders who have a dependency on drugs, many of whom have
extensive criminal records. Many will also have served time
in jail.
"While these Orders offer an alternative to custodial
sentences, they are certainly not a soft option for
offenders. Sanctions can be imposed for non-compliance.
"The Executive has been looking at innovative ways of
tackling the problems of drug misuse and breaking the cycle
of crime - but it is important to make sure these are fully
evaluated before introducing them further.
"The report shows DTTOs have had a positive and dramatic
impact on drug use and offending after six months into the
Orders. The treatment provided appears to have been the
most important single factor in helping them reduce their
use of illegal drugs, with the system of regular testing
and reviews playing an encouraging part."
DTTOs, the first of which was imposed in Scotland in
early 2000, are designed as an alternative community based
sentence for drug users who offend. They require offenders
to attend counselling and other treatment sessions as well
as undergo mandatory testing for drugs over a six to 36
month period.
The Orders are used as an alternative to custodial
sentences where it is believed that treatment of the
offender's drug problem will help to minimise the
possibility of future offending which is often linked to
the funding of drug habits.
The report estimates that the average cost of a DTTO in
an established scheme is £7,293 compared to the estimated
cost of a six month prison sentence (i.e. three months in
prison) of approximately £7029 in 1999/2000.