Forth Valley Drug Treatment Service

 

Drug Treatment ServiceWhat do we do?

We provide a Drug Treatment Service across Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Councils. This is an inter-agency initiative involving Criminal Justice social work services (across the three Councils), Central Scotland Police and NHS Forth Valley.

We provide assessment reports in relation to suitability for the Drug Treatment programmes to the three local Sheriff Courts (Stirling, Falkirk and Alloa). The Forth Valley Drug Treatment Service operates two specific programmes:

  • DTTO - Stand-alone Drug Treatment and Testing Order

  • Fast Track - in partnership with Probation/Community Payback Order, we offer a Drug Treatment programme as a condition of a probation order

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

Referrals mainly come from one of the three local sheriff courts, however referrals can be made from other Scottish Court services. Referrals can also be made by the author of a Criminal Justice Social Work Report (previously referred to as a Social Enquiry Report). Only individuals being dealt with through the formal Criminal Justice service can access a placement with the Drug Treatment service. A Drug Treatment and Testing Order is an alternative to custody.

Who is eligible?

Offenders who are:

  • Resident in the Forth Valley area 

  • Over 18 years of age

  • Identified as having a serious drug misuse problem, which it is felt will respond to treatment

  • Assessed as suitable to undertake a Drug Treatment and Testing Order as provided by the Forth Valley Criminal Justice Drug Treatment Service

  • Facing the likelihood of custody due to the seriousness, or frequency of their offending behaviour

  • In agreement to undertake a Drug Treatment and Testing Order and comply with all the requirements of such an Order

What happens next?

A joint assessment is undertaken by a Nurse and Social Worker within the Drug Treatment Service. If the offender is assessed as suitable for the programme, the Court may impose a Drug Treatment and Testing Order.   This is an intensive form of drug treatment with individuals being drug tested on a weekly basis and having to attend the court for monthly reviews through-out the period of the Order.

The programme consists of:

  • For the first month, the individual has three bi-weekly contacts with a Nurse and Social Worker from the Drug Treatment and Testing Order programme to receive drug treatment as appropriate, depending on the individual's needs.

  • Monitoring their compliance in treatment

  • Working within an individual care plan to provide support and guidance to assist the individuals on their personal road to recovery

  • Updated progress reports submitted to the Court for the individual's monthly review, taking into consideration attendance and compliance with the Order

If the individual successfully completes the programme, they will be transferred to the Forth Valley Alcohol and Drug Partnership.

If the individual does not comply with the Drug Treatment and Testing Order programme, breach proceedings are likely to be instigated with the Court being notified of the individual's non-compliance.

Fast Track

Referrals come from one of the three local sheriff courts or through Criminal Justice social workers. Only individuals being dealt with through the formal Criminal Justice service can access a placement with the Drug Treatment service.

Who is eligible?

Offenders who are:

  • Resident in the Forth Valley area

  • Over 18 years of age

  • Identified as having a serious drug misuse problem, which it is felt will respond to treatment

  • Assessed as suitable for drug treatment, as provided by the Forth Valley Criminal Justice Drug Treatment Service

  • At risk of re-offending/custody due to drug related offending

  • Assessed as suitable for a period of Probation

  • In agreement to undertake a period of Probation with an additional condition to attend treatment as provided by the Fast Track programme

What happens next?

An assessment is undertaken by the Criminal Justice Social Worker and a nurse from the Fast Track programme. If the offender is assessed as suitable for the programme, the Court may impose a period of Probation with a condition of attending for Drug Treatment as provided by the Fast Track programme.

The programme consists of:

  • Weekly contact with a Nurse from the Fast Track programme to receive drug treatment as appropriate, depending on the individual's needs.

  • Monitoring their compliance in treatment

  • Working within an individual care plan to provide support and guidance to assist the individuals on their personal road to recovery

  • The Nurse maintains regular contact with the Criminal Justice Social Worker to update on an individual's progress

If the individual successfully completes the programme, they will be transferred to the Community Alcohol and Drugs Service.

If the individual does not comply with either the Fast Track programme or the Criminal Justice Social Work service, breach proceedings are likely to be instigated with the Court being notified of the individual's non-compliance.