Government expands unique scheme to tackle Drug Crime in London

In November the Government announced five new areas in London that are to benefit from the expansion of the ‘Criminal Justice Interventions Programme’ (CJIP). 

This unique scheme targets drug users who turn to crime to feed their habit, and gets them into treatment and away from the cycle of crime and drug addiction.  The CJIP scheme was implemented as a pilot in 12 London Boroughs in April last year, and identifies traces of drug use through testing on arrest or when being charged by the police. 

If a person tests positive for drug use they are referred to drug referral workers while in police custody, and then guided into treatment.  Evidence shows that targeting offenders at all points in the criminal justice system works to reduce re-offending and dependence on drugs.

The funding will continue in the pilot areas of Camden, Ealing, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth and Westminster. The five new areas to receive funding from April 2004 are Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Brent, Lewisham and Croydon.

Lucy Dawes, Head of the Drugs Team at Government Office for London, said:

“Drugs cause havoc to communities, tear families apart and ruin individuals’ life chances.  From April this year London will get more help to tackle the impact of drugs.  Drug testing will be expanded, so we can identify and treat offenders who are funding their serious drug habit through crime. The programme is a step change for London’s Drug Action Teams and local agencies who are now working in a joined up regime so no-one slips through the net.

“Until this year there has been a gap in provision when it comes to former addicts leaving treatment or prison and we have been working hard to fill it. An intensive through care and aftercare package is being rolled out to ensure that offenders successfully complete treatment, and get the help they need to find work and a home, to stop them falling back into their old habits."

More information

For more information please contact Suzanne Halls, 020 7217 3664.