In October 2007 the Oxfordshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) commissioned SMART to provide a 2 year pilot Alcohol Referral Service (ARS). *

The service is targeted at hazardous and harmful drinkers, and designed to address the growing problem that links drinking with offending.

The SMART scheme works with individuals who have any involvement within the Criminal Justice System. It provides alcohol-specific assessment, information, advice and support. It also offers brief interventions, and onward referral, for those needing more in-depth structured alcohol treatment.

The alcohol worker will carry out a one-to-one confidential assessment with the client and devise a treatment plan.

From July 2008, the Alcohol Referral Service will provide an Alcohol Awareness Workshop that covers:

• alcohol consumption and units, and what they mean
• health implications of alcohol misuse
• the links between drinking and offending
• advice on safe, sensible drinking

Further one-to-one sessions can be arranged to help raise self-awareness, and increase motivation to engage with other forms of treatments and support services. These include referrals to SCAS (Specialist Community Addiction Services), day programmes and residential rehabilitation.  

The Alcohol Referral Service enables service users to take responsibility for their behaviour, make informed choices, about receiving appropriate treatments, and establish more stable lifestyles.

* In June 2008 it was announced that the Buckinghamshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) would be commissioning SMART to deliver an alcohol-referral pilot project throughout the county.