A new model of drug treatment and testing orders (DTTOs) is to be piloted across the Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authority area.

If the pilot, which will cover the majority of courts in the area, proves successful the orders could eventually be rolled out across Scotland. The two year pilot, which is expected to begin in the spring, offer courts an effective option in dealing with offenders at an earlier stage in their drugs misuse.
 
DTTOs have to date been primarily used with high-tariff offenders, but as part of the pilot, they will be adapted for use with lower tariff offenders. These are orders of court which aim to address an offender's drugs misuse, so as to have a positive impact on their related offending behaviour, which in most instances will consist of crime to fund their addiction. These orders require the consent of the offender, and non-compliance with the terms of the order is likely to result in imposition of a custodial term.
 
Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing said: “Reducing drug-related crime and re-offending is a key aim for the Scottish Government. We want to build on the current success of DTTOs which can help move problematic drug users into appropriate treatment and support services. 

"DTTOs have a positive impact on drug use and offending - after six months on an order an addict's expenditure on drugs decreased from an average of £490 per week pre-sentence to an average of £57 per week.

"Despite having extensive prior criminal histories, almost half of those who complete their orders have no further convictions within two years. Even non-completers demonstrated reduced reconviction rates.

"The challenge will be to ensure that the best features of DTTOs are maintained as part of any new model at the same time as extending the order to lower tariff offenders. The pilot will also allow the new justice courts to use this new form of DTTOs as a sentencing option in dealing with those offenders with drugs misuse issues.”

Responding to the announcement, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Community Safety, John Lamont said: “DTTOs have a role to play in tackling both drugs abuse and crime - therefore we welcome today’s announcement about this pilot scheme, especially the adaptation to use DTTOs with lower tariff offenders as well as the high tariff ones.

“However, there are other measures that could be taken as well. We believe that another step must be comprehensive drug treatment and testing orders of every prisoner as they are admitted to prison and at regular intervals thereafter. Today’s announcement again does not go that far – this is an objective we will continue to press for.”

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