Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Tuesday, 17 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 January 2006. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Monday, 6 February 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Drug Intervention Programme

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the results of the Drug Intervention Programme.

Answer: Since its introduction in April 2003, over 33,000 drug misusing offenders have entered treatment through the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP). Waiting times for treatment in the ‘intensive' DIP areas have fallen to their lowest levels ever. Acquisitive crime—to which drug related crime makes a substantial contribution—fell by 12 per cent. in the year to April 2005.Its success has been achieved through a combination of additional resources, new legislation, revised working practices and a stronger focus on partnership working.We are on track to achieve the overall target of 1,000 offenders a week into treatment by 2008 and we exceeded the interim (March 2005) target by 54 per cent. Over 2,000 offenders entered treatment in November 2005.The programme continues to be developed and strengthened. For example, from 1 December 2005 new provisions contained in the Drugs Act 2005 have been implemented in three police force areas: Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire and Nottingham. These give police powers to test for specified Class A drugs on arrest and to require persons who have tested positive for a specified Class A drug to attend an assessment of their drug use (an initial assessment). These powers are improving access to offenders including those who have previously not been in treatment. They will be extended to other intensive areas by 31 March 2006 on which date restriction on bail provisions will also be available across the whole of England.

Secondary information