There are 22 multi-agency Drug Action Teams (DATs) in the North West that operate as partnerships. These partnerships are being encouraged to integrate with, or at least work more closely with, their Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships counterparts, responsible for delivering the Government’s Crime Reduction Strategy.
All local authority areas have to negotiate a Local Area Agreement (LAA) with Government Offices and agreed by central government departments. Drugs will be a key factor in regard to reducing crime levels and increasing the numbers receiving treatment and support. Indicators to help meet these targets will be included and performance reviewed.
The 22 Drug Action Teams (DATs) in the North West submit treatment plans to the NTA in January of each year. These plans show how treatment services will be developed and resources allocated over the coming financial year (from April). The final plans become public documents.
Drug Interventions Programme
People who misuse heroin or crack/cocaine often commit crime to fund their drug habit. The Drug Interventions Programme (DIP), formerly the Criminal Justice Interventions Programme, aims to get these offenders out of crime and into drug treatment, breaking the cycle of drugs–crime–prison. DIP began in April 2003 and operates an intensive programme including drug testing on arrest in areas where acquisitive crime is highest.
In the North West we now have 15 of the 22 DAT intensive areas conducting drug testing. All areas, intensive and non-intensive, provide a range of interventions to engage drug users in treatment at all stages of the criminal justice process from arrest to court and from community to prison and back.
