Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

What is a DTTO?

A DTTO is a court disposal aimed at offenders whose offending is directly related to a serious drug use.

The objective is to reduce or eliminate offending by addressing the problem via rapid access to a closely monitored treatment programme.

It requires the offender to undergo treatment associated with drug use. This includes drug testing and a system of frequent reviews involving the sentencer.

An order may vary in length from six months to three years and requires the consent of the offender.

Who is it for?

Offenders aged 16+ and living within the East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute who have had a serious drug problem.

There should be an established link between the pattern of drug use and the pattern of offending. Offenders will normally be facing custody.

Drug use musy be susceptible to an available treatment option and there must be clear evidence of motivation to undergo treatment/change.

Treatment may include:

• Individual counselling, information and advice
• Detox/Substitute prescribing
• Groupwork to support behaviour change
• Day programme (e.g training, life/parenting skills

What about testing?

Those being assessed for suitability for a DTTO will be tested for illicit substances.

Offenders on the order will have regular and random drug testing carried out by DTTO nurses and addiction workers.

Testing plans will be outlined in the initial assessment and subsequent reviews.

The DTTO team:

The Manager co-ordinates and manages the scheme.

The Social Worker fulfils all legislative requirements, monitors compliance and attends reviews.

The Medical Officer initiates substitute prescribing and had overall responsibilty for clinical treatment.

Nurses undertake treatment programmes, co-ordinate associated healthcare needs, provides education relating to health issues, harm reduction and supervise drug testing.

The Addiction worker provides support for offenders on an individual and group basis in line with a specifically tailored programme of care, supervises drug testing.

The team will also work in partnership with the voluntary sector and relevant agencies.

Referrals

DTTO involves a complex and invasive approach to the supervision of offenders. All offenders on DTTO will have a treatment plan involving input from health

professionals, the voluntary sector and social work. It follows therefore that DTTO assessments should not be considered/requested as a matter of routine.

A two-stage process for identifing appropriate cases is desirable.

A Social Worker preparing an Social Enquiry Report may identify the need for a DTTO assessment in consultation with the DTTO team.

This will clearly be indicated in the Social Enquiry Report. A period of deferment on bail, will be required for a DTTO assessment.

The assessment will involve the offender in appointments with the Social Worker, Nurse and Addiction Worker.

All of whom will contribute to the report presented to the court.

Reviews:

Orders will be reviewed monthly by the sentencer with the offender attending personally unless excused by the sentencer.

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