SMART's Enhanced Arrest Referral service (Drug Intervention Programme) aims to help individuals whose lives have become unmanageable through their use of serious drugs, and are caught up in the criminal justice system. SMART provides a seamless progression route for offenders from the first point of arrest through to custody, court, sentencing and beyond into aftercare services.

In our experience, individuals are more likely to make positive changes in their lives when faced with the crisis of being arrested or sentenced. It is important, therefore, that SMART arrest referral workers make contact with drug users whilst they are still in custody. Here they can build trust and develop strategies to enable individuals to take control of their lives.

SMART is currently operating comprehensive Arrest Referral Programmes throughout Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. The arrest referral service provides clients with structured one-to-one support, advice on harm minimisation, care plans and referrals to a range of specialist drug treatment services and other agencies, such as housing and health.

The arrest referral workers keep up regular contact with each client to monitor their progress, and provide on-going support. The average time that a client will maintain contact with the service is 6 to 12 weeks.

The number of serious drug users that SMART's Arrest Referral scheme has worked with highlights the scale of drug offending. However, it also shows the effectiveness of the work, which is widely recognised by the police and other agencies in helping clients find a way out of crime.