Review sets out pointers for substance abuse sentencing
As a generality, court ordered substance abuse treatment is less effective than voluntary treatment, but still likely to produce more positive outcomes for people than custody, according to a review paper published by the Scottish Government.
Evidence on how best to maximise the potential benefits, and minimise the potential harms, of court ordered drug treatment in response to offending behaviour is growing but remains uncertain, the paper states.
However it appears that the most evidence-based community sentencing option for people with substance use problems would be one that:
- does not widen the reach or deepen the intensity of punishment;
- prioritises keeping people out of custody, given the multiple risk factors prevalent in, or directly caused by, prisons;
- recognises that substance dependency is a health condition and should be treated that way;
- recognises that people who are mandated to treatment have several preparatory steps to move through first, and sentences need to support making a choice to change;
- recognises that a strong therapeutic alliance and support system forms the basis of almost all effective drug treatment;
- recognises that effective responses are based on thorough individualised assessment and targeting;
- recognises the role of social exclusion and economic distress in substance use and offending, and provides an integrated and comprehensive care package addressing multiple needs;
- provides a range of drug treatments for different needs; and
- recognises the significant resources needed to provide a consistent and quality service.