Speed-type courses in drug cases for low-level offenders

A NEW scheme which will see people caught with small amounts of drugs sent on courses to avoid conviction, similar to speed awareness programmes, is being launched in North Wales.

Police and crime commissioner Arfon Jones has also said low-level offenders will have to sign four month contracts promising to stay on the straight and narrow, and face prosecution if they don’t stick to it.

The project, Checkpoint Cymru, developed by Cambridge University, has apparently proved successful in Durham. Although the figures still need to be formally evaluated, they show a big reduction in reoffending rates, from 30 per cent to 18, with only five per cent of those taking part failing to complete the programme. The success of the programme in breaking the negative cycle of crime and punishment has earned it a national award from the Howard League for Penal Reform.

Offenders are offered the chance to avoid prosecution by signing a four-month contract and committing to seeking help from rehabilitation services. They are supervised by a skilled “navigator”, which may include people who have overcome addictions to drugs and alcohol, and face prosecution if they break the contract at any time.

Mr Jones is introducing another initiative based on a different pilot project, the Bristol Drugs Programme, which has been equally successful. People caught with small amounts of drugs will be steered towards educational awareness courses similar in principle to the ones for speeding drivers and those who take part can avoid a criminal conviction. He will appoint nine navigators based at the N. Wales Police custody suites in Caernarfon, St Asaph and Llay. He is looking for an overall manager. Closing date for that role is Monday, June 10. He said: “By addressing the underlying causes of their offending behaviour those signing up to the programme are less likely to reoffend as has been clearly demonstrated in Durham.”