Overview of the UK Drug Strategy with a Focus on Treatment and the Development of Drug Interventions in the Criminal Justice System (England and Wales) (From Resource Material Series No. 64, P 3-23, 2004, Simon Cornell, ed. -- See NCJ-209027)

• NCJ Number: 209028
• Author(s): Shereen Sadiq
• Date Published: October 2004
• Length: 21 pages
• Sale Source: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Japan

Annotation

This overview of the British Government's drug policy--which aims to reduce the harm that drugs cause to communities, individuals, and their families--focuses on progress in the areas of drug treatment and intervention in the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

Abstract

A review of the British legal framework and roles of criminal justice agencies in addressing the drug problem addresses the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the English judiciary process, the magistrates court, the crown court, court roles, the Probation Service, the Prison Service, and the Police Service. This is followed by a report on the extent of drug use in England and Wales based on the results of the 2000 British Crime Survey. The findings indicate that in 2000, approximately one-third of those between the ages of 16 and 59 had taken illegal drugs at some time in their lives, indicating that about 4 million people use at least 1 illicit drug each year; this is most often cannabis. Estimates are also reported for the number of people with drug dependency or serious drug problems, the links between drug use and crime, and evidence that treatment works. The author then turns to an overview of the British Government's drug strategy, as it focuses on its four main themes: to help youth resist drug use, to protect communities from drug-related antisocial and criminal behavior, to treat people with drug problems, and to limit the availability of illegal drugs. The updated Drug Strategy of 2002 sets out plans to break the link between drugs and crime by extending, enhancing, and integrating a range of criminal justice interventions designed to get drug-abusing offenders into drug treatment that includes appropriate aftercare. The development of drug interventions in the criminal justice system in conjunction with effective treatment has demonstrated the potential for reducing drug-related offending, drug misuse, and improving health. Appended details of drug legislation, the English judiciary process, and models of care