Towards an effective social care model for arrest referral: Implications for criminal justice interventions for problem drug users

Aims: To assess an operational model for arrest-referral schemes that successfully facilitates the entry of highly entrenched and chaotic problem drug users into specialist drug-treatment services. Methods: (1) An examination of case records from a voluntary arrest-referral service (SMART CJS) based across the Thames Valley region of the UK during 2002–2003; (2) Probablistic database linkage of agency case records with the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS); (3) participant observation and semi-structured interviews with agency staff.

Findings: Over half of problem drug users (58%) maintained contact with the scheme following initial contact in police custody. Referrals were made to a wide range of social-care services in addition to specialist drug treatment to include prison-based services, housing support and primary care. This model was able to demonstrate very high levels of specialist drug treatment uptake (53%) following referral. There was a close relationship between the average length of time a problem drug user entered treatment following contact in police custody and the average length of an active case file. Such an approach was considered essential to maintain motivation with clients.

Discussion: This social care model has operational validity in ensuring treatment uptake of recidivist problem drug-using offenders. Continuity of care alongside referrals addressing wider community harms including social exclusion and public health should be encouraged.