Drugs: protecting families
and communities
Action Plan 2008–2011
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ROBUST ENFORCEMENT TO TACKLE DRUG SUPPLY, DRUG-RELATED CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
Proactively
1. Increase the number of
HO
A reduction in drug-related
To be
Ongoing, from
targeting and
areas offering DIP intensive
offending through better
determined,
April 2008
managing drug-
interventions, on a self-funded
targeting and ‘grip’ of more
based on bids
misusing offenders
basis
drug-misusing offenders across from local
more areas of the country
areas
2. Establish a new national DIP
HO
DIP interventions, such as drug
England and
Ongoing, from
regional representatives group to
testing, required assessment
Wales
April 2008
drive operational delivery
and restriction on bail, are
effectively applied at a local level
3. Increase the number of DIP
HO
A reduction in drug-related
England and
By end March
conditional cautions to 2,000
offending through better
Wales
2009
targeting and ‘grip’ of more
drug-misusing offenders across
more areas of the country
4. Review and strengthen CJIT-
HO/MoJ
To improve continuity of care for England and
2009
Prison-Probation procedures and
drug misusing offenders from
Wales
practice to ensure more effective
custody to the community
joint working
5. Introduce pilots to extend and
HO/MoJ
A reduction in drug-related
Pioneer areas
December 2008
evaluate integrated offender
offending through better
management models for drug-
information sharing, targeting,
misusing offenders, including
risk assessment and ‘grip’ of
those released from prison under
the most problematic drug-
no statutory supervision
misusing offenders
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ROBUST ENFORCEMENT TO TACKLE DRUG SUPPLY, DRUG-RELATED CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
6. Work with Local Strategic
Cabinet Office Increased proportion of
England and
Ongoing
Partnerships to deliver
(SETF)
ex-offenders in settled
Wales
improved employment and
accommodation and
accommodation outcomes for
employment
drug-misusing offenders under
probation supervision
Maximising the
7. Develop a new NOMS drug
MoJ
Reduced drug-related offending England and
2008
effectiveness
strategy to complement the
and re-offending, reduced drug- Wales
of prison and
national strategy and to provide
related deaths and improved
community
a coherent framework for
health
sentences
responding to drug misuse
among offenders
8. Prison clinical drug treatment
DH/MoJ
Individual, needs-based clinical
England
2011
to be brought to at least a
services offering consistent
minimum evidence-based
outcomes for substance-
standard across all prisons
misusing offenders in custody
9. Review measures to reduce the
MoJ/ACPO
Reduced level of drug misuse in England and
By April 2009
supply of drugs into prisons,
prisons
Wales
including looking at introducing
more rigorous searches and
providing more sniffer dogs.
Examine innovative approaches
to tackling supply
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ROBUST ENFORCEMENT TO TACKLE DRUG SUPPLY, DRUG-RELATED CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
10. Introduce NDTMS into pilot
DH/MoJ
Incorporation of prison
England
Dependent upon
prisons to test how information on
treatment data into the
outcome, wider
treatment outcomes can be shared
community database
roll-out will follow
between prisons and community-
in 2009/10
based services. Explore the
feasibility of introduction across the
entire prison estate
11. Develop performance metrics that MoJ
Ensure ef ective of ender
England and
Shadow measures
ensure substance misuse needs
management to reduce re-
Wales
to be developed
are a key element of of ender
of ending and improve community
for 2009/10
management sentence plans
sentence completion rates
12. Establish a national group to
Cabinet Office/ Streamlined and efficient
England and
2008
agree a single set of priorities
DH/MoJ/HO
commissioning and delivery of
Wales
and compile national guidance
drug treatment to offenders in
around the streamlining of the
prison and the community
commissioning, delivery, funding
and performance management
of drug treatment for offenders
in prison and the community
13. Explore the potential for offering
MoJ
Effective and credible
England and
Ongoing
sentencers additional intensive
alternatives to short-term
Wales
community-based options for
custody
substance misusers within the
intensive alternatives to custody
programme
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ROBUST ENFORCEMENT TO TACKLE DRUG SUPPLY, DRUG-RELATED CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
14. Ensure all probation areas drug
MoJ
Ensure effective offender
England and
From April 2008
test PPOs on licence to National
management to reduce
Wales
Standards
re-offending and improve
community sentence
completion rates
15. Further roll out the Integrated
DH/MoJ
Improved quality of clinical
England and
First phase roll-
Drug Treatment System
treatment
Wales
out completed by
March 2008 – full
IDTS in 29 prisons,
with enhanced
clinical elements
in a further 24
prisons. Clinical
elements of IDTS
extended further to
around 35 prisons
over the following
12 months
16. Maximise the use of DRRs in
MoJ
Ensure effective offender
England and
2009
community sentences, delivering
management to reduce
Wales
an extra 1,000 in 2008/09
re-offending and improve
community sentence
completion rates
17. Develop the skil s of the probation MoJ
Staff demonstrate an
England
2009
workforce to promote delivery in
appropriate level of competence
line with Clinical Guidelines
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ROBUST ENFORCEMENT TO TACKLE DRUG SUPPLY, DRUG-RELATED CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
18. Extend the drug court pilots,
MoJ
Address drug use as a cause of Up to four
Subject to
subject to successful evaluation
offending
further areas
evaluation
subject to
evaluation
19. Expand evidence base for
MoJ
Ensure effective offender
England and
2009
licence supervision for offenders
management to reduce
Wales
with substance misuse problems
re-offending, reduce number of
offenders recalled and improve
licence completion
Engaging and
20. Using the extension of
HO
Communities feel engaged in
England and
From April 2008
empowering
Neighbourhood Policing to
identification of solutions to local Wales
communities with
ask police and local partners
problems and have increased
stronger, locally-
to identify, in consultation with
confidence in police and
responsive law
communities, drug issues of
community safety partners
enforcement
concern and potential solutions,
and to ensure that there is a
joined-up, visible local response
to tackle and prevent drug
problems in neighbourhoods
21. Promote the use of community
HO/CLG
Communities empowered to
England and
From April 2008
contracts, petitions and
raise problems and confident
Wales
councillor calls for action, to
that they are being dealt with
enable local communities to
report and tackle problems with
drugs and community safety
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ROBUST ENFORCEMENT TO TACKLE DRUG SUPPLY, DRUG-RELATED CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
22. Increase assets seized from
HO
Increase risks to dealers, disrupt England and
Ongoing from April
drug dealers and make asset
supply networks and ensure
Wales
2008
seizure more visible to local
that communities see the
communities through more
benefits of working with police
effective local communication
and their partners to identify
dealers and seize their assets.
Dealers’ lifestyles are not seen
as glamorous and young people
are dissuaded from involvement
in drugs
23. Widen the categories of assets
HO
More of the assets of drug
UK
Subject to
liable for civil recovery and
dealers and traffickers are visibly
legislative process
introduce recovery of assets
seized and are prevented from
at arrest
being disposed of between
arrest and conviction
24. Extend Street Level Up
HO/SOCA/
Improved enforcement
Participating
Ongoing
Approach
ACPO
approaches to tackle drug
forces
markets
25. Pilot to test the potential benefits HO/ACPO/
Enforcement authorities gain
UK
By March 2009
of establishing a national
SOCA
better insight into links between
forensic database of drug
different seizures
seizures
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ROBUST ENFORCEMENT TO TACKLE DRUG SUPPLY, DRUG-RELATED CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
26. Promote the new drug strategy
HO/ACPO
All forces fully aware of new
England and
From April 2008
and PSA 25 to police forces,
strategy and PSA priorities
Wales
as well as links to wider crime
and place a renewed focus on
and re-offending indicators in
activity to reduce drug supply,
PSA 23. Use every opportunity
drug-related crime and anti-
presented by the new
social behaviour
APACS and local government
performance management
frameworks to incentivise
enforcement and supply
reduction
27. Provide comprehensive
HO/Police
Community confidence
England and
From April 2008
guidance for police and partners
improved by seeing all available Wales
on powers, sanctions and
powers, sanctions and levers
levers to tackle drug supply and
used to close open drug
nuisance and ensure that this
markets, crack houses and
guidance informs operational
cannabis farms and tackle drug-
delivery
related anti-social behaviour
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ROBUST ENFORCEMENT TO TACKLE DRUG SUPPLY, DRUG-RELATED CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
Preventing harm
28. Make greater use of post-
Police
Reduce the number of those
England and
From April 2008
to communities by
conviction ASBOs
convicted of drug offences
Wales
reducing the supply
re-establishing their business
of drugs into and
following conviction
within the country
29. Put in place a new performance
HO
The police will be able to set
England and
April 2008
indicator for asset recovery,
targets and drive performance
Wales
underlying the Justice for All
on asset recovery
PSA
30. Implement section 97 of the
HO
Magistrates’ courts can be
Pilot areas
By autumn 2008
SOCPA, relating to the making
used for confiscation cases,
of asset confiscation orders
as opposed to current making
by magistrates’ courts. Pilot
of orders only in the Crown
its operation in selected court
court, whereby referral between
areas and monitor the impact on
the courts does not happen.
performance
Seizure of the assets of smaller
scale criminals will be better
dealt with
31. Establish asset sharing
HO
Better co-operation between
International
By March 2009
agreements with priority
countries on the seizure of
countries, beginning with the
criminal assets sequestered
UAE in early 2008
overseas
32. Continue to develop improved
HO/HMRC
Faster and more accurate drug
UK
Dependent on
drug detection technology in
detections in people, freight
technological
people and freight and in post
parcels and post
progress
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ROBUST ENFORCEMENT TO TACKLE DRUG SUPPLY, DRUG-RELATED CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
33. Expand partnerships with
SOCA/HMRC/
More traffickers prevented from
International
From April 2008
governments in producer and
FCO/UKBA
entering the country and fewer
transit countries to implement
people harmed by swallowed
UK border controls overseas
drug packets
and screen travellers for
swallowed drugs
34. Expand international
SOCA/HMRC/
More drug supply routes
International
Ongoing
co-operation to take action
FCO
interrupted and detection
against the production and
capacity in transit and producer
transit of drugs
countries improved
35. Support the government of
FCO
Reduced opium production and International
Ongoing
Afghanistan to implement the
viable alternative livelihoods for
National Drug Control Strategy
farmers
36. Strengthen the mechanisms
DCMS
The public and the international
UK
By 2012
in place to tackle doping in
sporting community feel
sport, to target those facilitating
reassured that the UK enforces
doping, and to tackle the
laws around doping and other
trafficking and supply of doping
illegal drugs
substances
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PREVENTING HARM TO CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY DRUG MISUSE
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
A new package for
37. Establish a cross-government
DCSF
A greater focus on families
England
From July 2008
families
working group to drive forward
and other
in work related to the drug
work on families and substance departments
strategy, alcohol strategy and
misuse across the drug strategy
related PSAs
38. Publish guidance to help the
DH/DCSF
Treatment services more
England
Late 2008
commissioning and delivery
accessible to parents, with
of treatment services with a
improved treatment outcomes
greater focus on the needs of
parents and families
39. Encourage better take-up of
DCSF
Treatment services more
England (plus
From July 2008
free childcare for three-and
accessible to parents, with
pilot areas for
four-year-olds (and two-year-
improved treatment outcomes
two-year-olds)
olds in pilot areas) to improve
access to treatment for parents
40. All drug-misusing parents
DH/DCSF
Treatment services more
England
Ongoing
with treatment needs to have
accessible to parents, and
ready access to treatment,
support needs of dependent
with all problem drug user
children identified earlier
parents whose children are at
risk having prompt access to
treatment, with assessments
taking account of family needs
41. Encourage closer working
DH
Pregnant substance misusers
England
Early 2009
between treatment and
given better care and support,
maternity services
with less pre-natal harm to
children
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PREVENTING HARM TO CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY DRUG MISUSE
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
42. Publish guidance to improve
DH
Better tailored support that
England
Ongoing
the involvement of family and
takes full account of family and
carers, including in the shaping
carer needs
and delivery of treatment/
support, and the development
of family intervention skills of
drug misuse workers
43. Provide intensive support to
DCSF
Better understanding of the
Some initiatives
From April
substance-misusing parents
impact of intervention with
are national,
2008
through a range of recently
families at risk
others are in pilot
established family interventions,
areas only
targeting families at risk. To be
reviewed and strengthened
where necessary, supported
by research into what works in
family interventions
44. Support family self-help groups DCSF/HO/
Improved support for families
England
From April
through work with the third
DH/other
affected by someone else’s
2008
sector to provide improved
departments
substance misuse
advice and guidance
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PREVENTING HARM TO CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY DRUG MISUSE
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
45. Support kin carers, such as
DCSF
Fewer children unnecessarily
England
From April
grandparents, who take on
taken into care. Keeping
2008
caring responsibilities for the
children safe and keeping the
children of substance-misusing
family unit together
parents by exploring extensions
to the circumstances in which
local authorities can make
payments to those caring
for children classified as ‘in
need’, backed up by improved
information for carers, and
guidance for local authorities,
which may include a specific
assessment for kin carers
46. Implement measures in the
DCSF
Reduced levels of youth
England
Youth Alcohol
Youth Alcohol Action Plan to
drinking
Action Plan
reduce the impact of alcohol on
published April
young people and families
2008
47. Examine recommendations
HO
Improved commissioning
England and
Summer 2008
relating to families of drug-
and delivery of services for
Wales
misusing offenders in
Around
the families of drug-misusing
Arrest, Beyond Release
offenders at a local level
fieldwork visits and national
seminars. Disseminate a final
report highlighting practical
solutions to planning and
delivery for this group
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PREVENTING HARM TO CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY DRUG MISUSE
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
48. Establish protocols between
DCSF/DH
Safeguarding children of drug
England
End of 2008
local Safeguarding Children
misusers
Boards and adult treatment
services to ensure that the
needs of children of drug-
misusing parents are identified
early and that they are
supported
49. Ensure that actions on young
DCSF
Safeguarding of children of
England
Revised carers
carers arising from the cross-
substance-misusing parents
strategy due
government carers review
spring 2008
take account of the children of
substance misusers
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PREVENTING HARM TO CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY DRUG MISUSE
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
Mainstreaming
50. Complete the review of
DCSF
Improved Drug Education
England
Review
prevention
substance misuse education,
rating with Ofsted, achievement
completed
committed to in the Children’s
of National Healthy Schools
summer 2008.
Plan, to strengthen the role
targets
Subsequent
of schools with an emphasis
actions from
on primary education, early
April 2009
identification, and provision of
in-school support. Continue
to support the work of the
Drug Education Forum and
disseminate findings from
Blueprint drug education
research programme
51. Ensure that a more integrated
DCSF/HO
Reduced levels of young
England
From April
approach is taken to local
people’s substance misuse
2008
prevention activity with vulnerable
young people, through the roll-
out of Targeted Youth Support
52. Encourage a local focus on
DCSF
Reduced levels of young
England
From April
delivery of PSA 14, where
people’s substance misuse
2008
appropriate, under the new
local performance framework,
supported by guidance to
directors of children’s services
signalling their lead role in
driving reductions in young
people’s substance misuse
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PREVENTING HARM TO CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY DRUG MISUSE
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
53. Implement new commitments in DCSF/HO
Tackling key risk factors among
England
From April
Aiming High for Young People
vulnerable young people
2008
and continue to use positive
through reductions in substance
activities and Positive Futures
use, crime and anti-social
to strengthen vulnerable young
behaviour in local communities.
people’s resilience and social
Participation in positive activities
and emotional skills
supports the development
of resilience and social and
emotional skills
54. Improve identification of
DCSF
Reduced levels of young
England
Ongoing
at-risk children and early
people’s substance misuse
intervention through workforce
development, and greater
use of CAF, with progress on
integrated working reviewed
by Children’s Workforce
Development Council
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PREVENTING HARM TO CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY DRUG MISUSE
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
Making
55. Improve the treatment system
DH/DCSF/
Treatment capacity in each
England
Guidance in
improvements to the
for young people by:
MoJ/YJB
area to match local needs
2008. Review
treatment system for
• reviewing young people’s
assessments, with improved
in 2009/10
young people
substance misuse treatment
accessibility, quality and
to ensure that good quality
outcomes
treatment is available to all
young people who need
it, including those subject
to community sentences,
assured by an updated NTA
and DCSF Memorandum of
Understanding;
• producing guidance for
commissioners, service
providers, practitioners
and CAMHS to ensure that
improved needs assessments
and treatment planning
processes are in place in
all areas
56. Improve the National Drug
DH/DCSF
Improved understanding of the
England
Outcome
Treatment Monitoring System
effect of treatment interventions
monitoring
and outcome measurement of
with under-18s
for all 16–18s
treatment for 16 and 17 year-
by December
olds to ensure a more outcome-
2008 and for
focused approach, exploring
all under-18s
outcome measurement
in 2009
opportunities for under-16s
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PREVENTING HARM TO CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY DRUG MISUSE
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
57. Improve the transition between
DH/YJB/
Young people entering/leaving
England
Programme of
secure settings and the
DCSF/MoJ
secure settings to have reduced
work from April
community for young people in
substance misuse levels
2008
treatment by:
• issuing a revised National
Revised
Specification for Young
YPSMS
People’s Substance Misuse
specification
Services in secure settings;
spring 2008
• wider implementation of NTA
guidance; and
• ensuring better integration
with healthcare
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
DELIVERING NEW APPROACHES TO DRUG TREATMENT AND SOCIAL RE-INTEGRATION
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
Targeting those most 58. NTA and Strategic Health
DH
More partnerships will provide
England
From April
at risk
Authorities will target
effective services to meet the
2008
partnerships failing to increase
needs of crack users
the number of crack users
entering effective treatment and
provide additional support
59. NTA will provide support and
DH
Services will be better adapted
England
From April
monitor the implementation of
to the needs of groups who
2008
guidance for partnerships and
currently have poor access,
service providers on removing
including those with childcare
barriers to under-represented
needs and some BME groups,
groups accessing treatment
or who have complex needs,
such as serious mental health
problems
Improving the quality 60. NTA will provide support and
DH
Treatment more personalised
England
From April
and effectiveness of
monitor the implementation of
and focused on outcomes, with
2008
treatment
guidance on the provision of
more successfully completing
personalised and outcome-
treatment, having overcome
focused treatment through:
dependency
• effective clinical governance;
• user and carer involvement;
and
• using completion and
outcomes data to improve
treatment targeting and
effectiveness
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
DELIVERING NEW APPROACHES TO DRUG TREATMENT AND SOCIAL RE-INTEGRATION
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
A wider use of
61. NTA to undertake pilots and
DH
Services make full use of up-to-
England
Ongoing
new treatment
publish reports and guidance
date evidence in the provision of
approaches
for commissioners and
treatment
practitioners on:
• injectable heroin and
methadone;
• contingency management;
and
• the use of mutual support
networks
A radical new focus
62. DH, CLG, DWP, DIUS and
DH/CLG/
Drug misusers in treatment to
England
By September
on services to
HO to agree good practice
DWP/DIUS/
have access to wider services
2008
help drug users to
guidance on securing treatment HO
to help them to complete
re-establish their
and support to access
treatment and to re-establish
lives
employment for drug users in
their lives
receipt of benefits. To cover:
• referral of drug users in
receipt of benefits into
treatment;
• provision of an appropriate
‘safety net’ of support, to
which other claimants would
be entitled, for drug users in
treatment;
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
DELIVERING NEW APPROACHES TO DRUG TREATMENT AND SOCIAL RE-INTEGRATION
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
• the use of the housing,
employment and other
indicators within the
Treatment Outcome Profile to
monitor the effectiveness of
provision;
• guidance for ATOS
Healthcare professionals
in carrying out medical
assessments of fitness for
work; and
• joint planning by Primary
Care Trusts, Jobcentre
Plus and local authorities to
co-ordinate the management
of drug misusers through
treatment and into work
63. Annual agreement between
DH/CLG/DWP
The most vulnerable and
England
From April
treatment providers, Jobcentres
chaotic receive support in
2008
and housing support services
re-establishing their lives
to be reached on cross-agency
support for drug users in receipt
of benefit
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
DELIVERING NEW APPROACHES TO DRUG TREATMENT AND SOCIAL RE-INTEGRATION
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
64. Require, through the use of
DWP/DH
Drug misusers who can be
England
From April
the Jobseeker’s Direction
identified through the benefits
2008
or Work Focused Interview
system are signposted
process, drug misusers
to appropriate sources of
claiming working-age benefits
treatment and support
to attend a discussion with
a drug treatment provider,
where they are not already in
contact. This will be supported
by a nationally agreed referral
process, delivered locally to
ensure streamlined access to
treatment, where appropriate
65. NTA to support and monitor
DH/DWP
The most vulnerable and
England
From April
the implementation of new
chaotic receive support in
2008
guidance and provision
re-establishing their lives
through the annual treatment
planning process, working with
Strategic Health Authorities and
Government Offices
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
DELIVERING NEW APPROACHES TO DRUG TREATMENT AND SOCIAL RE-INTEGRATION
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
66. Improve access to
CLG/Cabinet
The most vulnerable and
England
From April
accommodation for drug users
Office (SETF)
chaotic receive support in
2008
in treatment by:
re-establishing their lives and
• updating guidance to local
local housing strategies better
authorities on their strategic
reflect the needs of vulnerable
housing role, including the
people
importance of addressing the
needs of vulnerable people;
• publishing a rough sleeping
strategy that identifies actions
to further improve services
available to rough sleepers
and increase the number
moving on from hostels and
homelessness services; and
• continuing investment in
the Supporting People
programme and Adults
Facing Chronic Exclusion
programme
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
DELIVERING NEW APPROACHES TO DRUG TREATMENT AND SOCIAL RE-INTEGRATION
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
67. Drug System Change pilots will
Cabinet Office/ Identification of more effective
Six initial pilot
From late 2008
examine, with a view to a wider HO/DH/CLG/
incentives and delivery
areas
roll-out:
DWP/DIUS
mechanisms for treatment and
• pooling of budgets;
support for housing, training,
• individual budgets for
employment and benefits
treatment and wider support;
for drug misusers. Pilots of
• end-to-end planning
individual budgets will include
and delivery of individual
some health funding streams,
treatment packages; and
where the potential and legal
• a renewed focus on
provision of pooled budgets
outcomes
exists and where needs are
predictable and specific to an
individual
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS, COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
Engage young people 68. Building on evidence of what
DCSF/HO
Build awareness and
England
Ongoing
with substance
works in communications,
resistance skills among young
misuse prevention
further develop the FRANK
people, change attitudes and
messages
campaign to:
perceptions of risks, establish
• deliver information on the
evidence for an alcohol-based
most commonly used drugs;
campaign
• develop evidence for
campaigns targeting under-
18s about alcohol; and
• support stakeholders to
deliver local information and
prevention campaigns
Increase capacity of
69. Improve the effectiveness of the DH
Identify what works and provide Birmingham
Spring/summer
FRANK to support
FRANK referral service by:
informed and appropriate
2008
young people into
• conducting a pilot to
referrals
appropriate treatment
determine what works in
and interventions
referring users to appropriate
services and rolling out as
appropriate; and
• providing training for
helpline advisers to improve
knowledge of interventions
and services
70. Develop an online self-help
DH
Reduced cannabis use
UK
Launch in
facility to support cannabis
summer 2008
users to reduce or stop their
use
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS, COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
Provide parents with
71. Use the FRANK campaign to
DCSF
Greater parental knowledge and England
Ongoing
facts surrounding
provide advice and information
understanding about drugs to
drugs and their use
to parents
support parental involvement
in preventing young people’s
substance misuse
72. Bring together a partnership
DCSF
Parents have greater confidence England
By September
of leading young people’s
to build resistance skills with
2008
and parents’ organisations
their children
to provide parents with the
confidence and knowledge to
help their children resist drugs
Increase public
73. Raise awareness of
HO
Communities will know how to
England and
2008/09
confidence in the
Neighbourhood Policing
report drug-related crime and
Wales
local agencies
teams through improved
how it will be tackled
tackling drug misuse
communication with local
and reducing drug-
communities
related crime
74. Work with local partnerships
HO
Communities made aware of
England and
2008/09
and police forces to develop
the work being done locally.
Wales
an approach which champions
Positive prevention messages
national and local role models
communicated to young people
and communicates to
young people, parents and
communities the work being
done to tackle drug misuse.
Raise profile of prevention
messages
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS, COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
75. Use national platforms –
HO
Communities will be fully
England and
From May
National Tackling Drugs Week
informed and engaged in work
Wales
2008
and Tackling Drugs Changing
being done locally to make their
Lives Awards – to increase
communities safer
confidence in the response to
drug misuse and drug-related
crime
76. Deliver a national programme
HO
Communities will be more
England and
May 2008 –
publicising enforcement
informed about action being
Wales
ongoing
action, supported by local
taken to crack down on drug-
communication campaigns,
related crime and will be more
including regional ‘Action Days’
confident to report crime and
and promoting local campaigns
drug dealing
such as ‘Rat on a Rat’
77. Develop communication
HO
Communities see the tangible
England and
2009
campaigns that demonstrate
benefits of action taken against
Wales
how assets seized from drug
drug dealers and continue to
dealers and traffickers are
support and engage with the
re-invested into communities
police
Reduce harm through 78. Run a national campaign to
DH
Raise awareness of BBV and
England
2008
communicating with
reduce BBV and overdose risks
overdose and reduce BBV and
drug users
among drug misusers
overdose risks
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
OVERARCHING AND UNDERPINNING ACTIONS
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
Maximise the
79. Capitalise on measures set out
HO
Improved co-operation with
International
From April
potential of
in the EU action plan relating to
other EU member states to
2008
multinational
supply-side co-operation and
benefit supply operations and
engagement
extending evidence on what
achieve a wider evidence base
works in supply and demand
reduction
80. Secure an EU action plan for
HO
A complementary action plan
International
By December
2009–12 that will support
adopted by the European
2008
UK national drug strategy
Council
objectives
Maintain robust
81. Review the classification of
HO
Cannabis is placed in the most
UK
By April 2008
legislative
cannabis
appropriate classification to
arrangements
reflect its potential to harm
and the most recently available
evidence
Improve the drugs
82. Develop a cross-government
HO
Improved evidence base and
UK
From April
evidence base
research plan, aligned to
guidance for practitioners,
2008
the developing international
better understanding of what
evidence base
works and more informed
spending decisions
Inprove the delivery
83. Pilot different delivery
Cross-
Simplified delivery structures,
England
2008/09
system
models to facilitate better
government
minimised duplication, more
joined-up working, minimise
effective commissioning
duplication and simplify funding
arrangements, improved citizen
arrangements
experience and better value
delivered
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
OVERARCHING AND UNDERPINNING ACTIONS
Strategic Objective
Key Actions
Departmental Outcome
Coverage
Timing
Owner
Improve value
84. NAO to conduct value for
HO/NAO
Understanding of value for
Six areas
By December
for money and
money study on the planning,
money delivered and evidence
2008
effectiveness of the
co-ordination and delivery of
to inform future decisions
delivery system
local services by DATs
on best delivery models to
complement delivery model
pilots
Ensure that the
85. Strengthen the capacity of local HO
All local areas are fully aware
UK
2008/09
needs of all groups
areas to meet all needs by:
of their duty to assess and
are met
• producing a refreshed
meet the needs of all members
Diversity Manual;
of the local community;
• conducting a qualitative
commissioners and providers
survey of the experiences of
of services have a better
key groups in accessing drug
understanding of issues;
services; and
and appropriate services are
• conducting an analysis of
delivered
data and information sources
relating to diversity
86. Consider further the individual
HO, with
Improved understanding of the
UK
To be
and social harms created
other relevant
needs of khat users and their
determined
by khat use and appropriate
departments
families
responses
87. NTA/Healthcare Commission
DH
Improve treatment response to
England
By March 2009
to review diversity practice in all
diverse communities
partnerships and benchmark to
improve local performance
Drugs: protecting families and communities Action Plan 2008–2011
List of acronyms
ACPO
Association of Chief Police Officers
FCO
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
APACS
Assessments of Policing and Community Safety
HMRC
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
ASBO
Anti-Social Behaviour Order
HO
Home Office
BBV
blood-borne virus
IDTS
Integrated Drug Treatment System
BME
black and minority ethnic
MoJ
Ministry of Justice
CAF
Common Assessment Framework
NAO
National Audit Office
CAMHS
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
NDTMS
National Drug Treatment Monitoring System
CJIT
Criminal Justice Integrated Team
NOMS
National Offender Management Service
CLG
Department for Communities and Local Government
NTA
National Treatment Agency
DAT
Drug Action Team
PPO
prolific and other priority offender
DCMS
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
PSA
Public Service Agreement
DCSF
Department for Children, Schools and Families
SETF
Social Exclusion Task Force
DH
Department of Health
SOCA
Serious Organised Crime Agency
DIP
Drug Interventions Programme
SOCPA
Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005
DIUS
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
UAE
United Arab Emirates
DRR
Drug Rehabilitation Requirement
UKBA
UK Border Agency
DWP
Department for Work and Pensions
YJB
Youth Justice Board
EU
European Union
YPSMS
Young Persons Substance Misuse Service
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