Alcohol pilot scheme to help Spalding's young offenders

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A new pilot scheme has been launched to help Spalding's young offenders address alcohol issues that can lead them into a life of crime.

Lincolnshire's Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) and Youth Offending Service are taking part in a new Home Office pilot project to reduce harm caused by alcohol misuse in young offenders.

The focus of the Alcohol Arrest Referral project  is on working with young people who have received a reprimand, final warning or have been arrested for an alcohol related offence.

This also includes young people who have committed an offence where alcohol has played a part, and young people who have agreed to see an alcohol worker as a condition of an Acceptable Behaviour Contract.

The service will provide age-appropriate treatment interventions for young people aged between 10 and 17.

The project aims to reduce alcohol consumption and re-offending amongst young people who have committed alcohol-related offences, and to ensure that young people with alcohol and substance misuse problems are able to access appropriate services and treatment.

Lee Freeman, assistant director for crime and disorder reduction at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "Studies show that this kind of intervention and treatment of substance misuse for young people has been consistently effective in reducing further substance misuse.

"The primary problem substance that young people are presenting in Lincolnshire is alcohol, and that makes the county an ideal place for this pilot project."

Young people who are arrested while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, or come into contact with police because of drugs and alcohol, will be interviewed and assessed by a youth worker.

The youth worker will determine the young person's drinking patterns, why they are drinking and talk to them about alcohol and drugs, their effects on the body, behaviour and other people. If required the young person will be referred into appropriate treatment services.

Re-offending rates of the young people taking part in this pilot project will be monitored and, along with data from criminal justice agencies, will be used to determine whether the project meets its aims.

The project will also ensure that young people are provided with information and guidance around issues which may reduce the likelihood of re-offending, for example health, housing, benefits advice, education, training and employment.