Criminal justice responses to drug related crime in Scotland.
This article examines contemporary developments in criminal justice responses to drug related crime. Drawing on evaluations of initiatives which have been introduced in Scotland along with published statistical data, it considers the expansion of drug treatment through the criminal justice system and the implications this has for increasing access to services. Importantly, it considers the potential consequences of implementing 'treatment' requirements, underpinned by potential sanctions for non-compliance, at different stages of the criminal justice process. It is argued that the introduction of interventions at different points in the criminal justice process may have increased access to treatment services, though the extent of engagement with services is called into question, especially where treatment is voluntary or less obviously 'coerced'. Moreover, there is evidence that extending treatment through the criminal justice system may have had the effect of drawing some individuals further into the criminal justice process than would previously have been the case, despite limited evidence of the effectiveness of many such interventions on drug use, associated offending and wider aspects of individuals' lives.
Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, School of Applied Social Science, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
Margaret
M
Malloch
Gill
G
McIvor
D003068:Coercion; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003415:Crime / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D055030:Drug Users / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D037141:Mandatory Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011330:Prisons / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011640:Public Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012606:Scotland; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*