Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO)

Interventions suitable for

Individuals who have direct correlation between drug dependency and offending behaviour.

Programme Title and Provider

Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO)

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

Statutory Order for individuals who have direct correlation between drug dependency and offending behaviour. Drug Treatment and Testing Order in Ayrshire have a specialised team consisting of Supervising Officers and Addiction Workers who work in partnership with NHS Addiction Services to provide treatment (both pharmacological and psychosocial) to facilitate change in behaviour and lifestyle. A recovery focused, person-centred approach is adopted to meet individual need. DTTO can be imposed for a duration of six months to three years depending upon presenting need at DTTO assessment stage. DTTO is considered to be a direct alternative to custody and is considered for individuals who have exhausted every other Court disposal.

Possible Outcomes

To break the cycle of drug dependency and offending behaviour through providing a person-centred approach to treatment. Outcomes are measured subjectively by the Service User on a three-monthly basis utilising 9 areas of recovery; including relationships, self-care and nutrition; physical and mental health, drug use and offending behaviour. It is hoped that through the duration of the Drug Treatment and Testing Order that scores within these axes will increase, with any decreases highlighting areas of support/addiction need.

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

At the Criminal Justice Social Work report writing stage a screening is undertaken to establish whether or not the individual meets the criteria. If the criteria is met, then a request is made to the Court to defer sentence for a period of four weeks to allow DTTO staff to undertake a full assessment of suitability. The DTTO assessment is undertaken by the Supervising Officer to establish whether the individual is a ‘suitable’ person with motivation to change their lifestyle. Gaps in offending behaviour are explored and areas of recovery capital and resilience identified to determine a starting point for treatment/interventions. DTTOs are reviewed by the Sentencer initially on a monthly basis and this process is undertaken within a closed Court to allow for direct dialogue between the sentencer and the service user. Interventions utilised by the team vary depending upon need. In the early stages a full care plan will be developed in collaboration with the service user and appropriate interventions will be employed to ensure that all areas of need are met. Motivational Interviewing is utilised in the early stages of a DTTO to encourage ambivalent individuals to consider areas of change.