Treatment or prison: service user and staff experiences of drug treatment and testing orders

Abstract

AIMS AND METHODThe drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) is a treatment option imposed by courts and the first multi-agency initiative in the treatment of substance misuse in the UK. We used separate focus groups for service users and staff involved with DTTOs in Hertfordshire to qualitatively investigate their experiences of the orders. Interviews were recorded and analysed using grounded theory methods.RESULTSAnalysis highlighted areas of concern related to the central issue of forced treatment, which was more challenging for staff than for service users. The area of most concern was multiagency collaboration.CLINICAL IMPLICATIONSMulti-agency initiatives require extensive liaison across agencies.

Drug Interventions Programme: clinical profile of service users v. attendees of standard services

“…The Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR) is a multi-agency initiative that involves courts, probation services and treatment providers. The concept of enforced treatment is designed to facilitate treatment access for individuals trapped in the vicious circle of crime to fund drug use (Kouimtsidis et al, 2007). Drug Interventions Programme services were implemented in 2005.…”