Drugs Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR) and Illicit Substance Use
How does structured drugs treatment under the remit of DRR differ from mainstream drugs treatment? DRR is an intensive and structured drugs treatment intervention. An offender’s progress in drugs treatment is closely monitored and supervised by Criminal Justice Drugs Team (CJDT). The offender’s attendance is enforceable. Non compliance and/or non engagement results in breach action. **Please note – If the offender is in drugs treatment at the time of sentencing they are still eligible for a DRR**
What is the criteria for a DRR?
i)Problematic drug user (PDU) – Defined by the National Treatment Agency (NTA) as users of Heroin, other Opiates (including Morphine and Codeine) and/or Crack Cocaine. It refers to the effects that drug use has on the user’s life (i.e. social; financial; physiological; psychological and/or legally) as a result of their drug use. ii)The DRR is primarily (but not exclusively) intended for PDUs. However,exemptions to the above can be assessed by CJDT;
iii)The offender’s drug use is clearly linked to their offending behavior;
iv)They are susceptible to drugs treatment and;
v)They are willing and motivated to comply with a DRR.
Who are the key agencies involved in the delivery and management of a DRR?
Criminal Justice Drugs Team (CJDT) which is a branch of CSSMS (Countywide Specialist Substance Misuse Services). They are the drugs treatment providers and are responsible for designing the offender’s treatment care plan, and delivering and supervising the treatment aspect of a DRR. Community Integration Service (CIS) deliver the structured day programme aspect of a DRR. As part of an offender’s structured day programme their attendance at Relapse Prevention and Weekend Preparation groups is compulsory. In addition to weekly 1:1 sessions with their designated Project Worker the offender can opt to attend the following groups – Feelings; IT; Basic Skills; Progress to Work and Recreation.
ISIS Women’s Centre is an alternative to CIS for female DRR cases. Attendance at ROOTS (split into 2 sessions - crime and its impact, and, drugs and alcohol awareness) and Relapse Prevention groups is compulsory.
What are the different aspects of a DRR?
Daily supervised consumption of substitute medication (i.e. Methadone; Subutex or Suboxone) at CSSMS Clinic (Addiction Treatment Unit in Gloucester or Highworth Clinic in Cheltenham) or a local pharmacy; 2 x weekly urine drugtesting;
1:1 sessions with Substance Misuse Nurse;
Periodic reviews with CJDT Psychiatrist;
CIS structured day programme or ISIS Women’s Centre
Branchlea Cross is an inpatient detox unit (for both drugs and alcohol) based in St Pauls, Cheltenham. It is not a residential rehabilitation centre. The offender is referred to Branchlea Cross to either stabilise on their substitute medication (i.e. stop using on top of their script) or to convert from one type of substitute medication to another. A high number of DRR cases are referred to Branchlea Cross. The admission usually lasts between 1 and 3 weeks.
What is the DRR assessment process?
It is best practice that the DRR assessment takes place at the pre sentence stage. It was reintroduced by GPT in April 2010. It ensures that the most suitable offenders are sentenced to a DRR. The process is as follow: i)PSR author identifies that the offender has a drugs treatment need that is linked to their offending behaviour;
ii)The offender gives their consent to comply with a DRR;
iii)PSR author requests a 5 working days adjournment (if granted bail) and conditional bail for the offender to attend a DRR assessment (as directed by GPT). If the offender is remanded in custody, the PSR author request a 10 working days adjournment;
iv)CJDT complete a fully comprehensive DRR assessment and assess the offender’s suitability and motivation for a DRR and feedback the outcome of the DRR assessment to the original PSR author;
v)PSR author submits PSR addendum and makes sentencing proposal. If not suitable for a DRR, the PSR author makes an alternative sentencing proposal. In some cases, a Low Intensity DRR may be a suitable option (see below).
What are Low Intensity DRR’s and why were they introduced in Gloucestershire?
Analysis of OASys for offenders supervised by GPT showed that there is a group of drug users who do not require intensive structured treatment but whose drug use is connected to their offending behaviour. This is an intervention for non Problematic Drug Users (PDU). GPT are the treatment providers (not CJDT). The offender is the subject of oral drug testing once a week and there is no structured day programme requirement. What is the criteria for a Low Intensity DRR?
A “low seriousness” offence; Cannabis use and/or use of Heroin/Crack Cocaine that was several months ago;
The offender is no longer in structured treatment e.g. substitute prescribing, community detox, residential rehabilitation or structured day programme;
If the offender is still in drugs treatment a 'full' DRR is required.
What is the suggested length of a DRR (“full and Low Intensity)?
The Court determines the initial level of offence seriousness and Probation proposes the length of the DRR depending on the offender’s treatment needs which is decided in consultation with the treatment provider, CJDT. The total length of the Community Order must be commensurate with the seriousness of the offence. ***In most case, 6 months DRR is sufficient for the majority of PDUs***
Can you be the subject of an Unpaid Work Requirement whilst the subject of a DRR?
In general, it is unsuitable for a UPW requirement to be proposed in conjunction with a DRR. However, there may be some cases whereby UPW may be appropriate but these will be limited to those offenders with low treatment needs and a high seriousness of offence. Each case must be looked at on an individual basis and should be balanced against the offender’s level of treatment intervention and an assessment as to his/her realistic capacity to comply with an UPW requirement. Useful Glossary of Terms
Bang – To inject Chasing the dragon – A way of inhaling Heroin
Cold turkey – Sudden drug withdrawal
Come down – The ending of a drug experience
Kickback – To relapse back into drugs
Riding the wave – Under the influence of drugs
Score – To go out and buy drugs
Shoot up – To inject intravenously
Speedball – Mixture of Cocaine and Heroin
Snowball – Mixture of Crack Cocaine and Heroin
Nicknames for Cocaine – Big C; Candy; Charlie; Coke; Blow; Snow; White Dust; Ivory Flakes; Nose Candy; Happy Dust; Heaven, Percy
Nicknames for Crack Cocaine – Rocks; Rocks; Wash
Nicknames for Heroin – DC; Brown; Dark; Gear; China White; Whack; Mother Pearl; Horse; Junk; Skag
