Project
Gloucestershire Alcohol Arrest Referral Scheme
Description:
In 1999, the Gloucestershire Drug and Alcohol Service (GDAS) and the Gloucestershire Constabulary launched the Alcohol Arrest Referral Scheme project (AARS). The scheme, the first of its type in the country, is not cell based and aims to minimise additional work for Custody Staff.
Upon arrest, offenders are screened to gauge if alcohol has been a factor in their offence. If alcohol has been identified as an issue, the client is referred under the AARS project. Referrals are made by fax and once this has been sent there is no further action required by the Custody Staff.
The onus rests with the person referred to contact GDAS and arrange the sessions, which take place on GDAS premises. The referral can be a condition of bail if the Custody Staff believe it to be necessary to prevent the likelihood of re-offending. Letters are sent to the Courts giving details of a person’s attendance or non-attendance.
The sessions provided by the project include:
- Information about alcohol
- Review of current drinking
- Ways of avoiding future high-risk situations
- Links between alcohol and crime
- Review of education, employment and housing needs and where appropriate provide information about relevant organisations.
- Referral to other organisations – this can include treatment.
Since its conception, this project has cut the number of offenders re-committing alcohol related offences by 50 per cent. The project’s success has seen it gain praise from the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith who highlighted it as an example of good practice at a recent national conference.
Project status: Ongoing
Project type: Enforcement
Project code: B2VC
