HC Deb 16 March 2004 vol 419 c184W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the procedure is for applying for a drugs testing and treatment order; and what the maximum distance is that a person subject to a drugs testing and treatment order is expected to travel in order to comply with such an order. [156871]

Paul Goggins

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs) can be made by magistrates courts and the Crown court where the court is satisfied that an offender aged 16 or over is dependent on or has a propensity to misuse drugs, and requires and may be susceptible to treatment. A court shall not make a DTTO unless it is satisfied that arrangements have been or can be made for the treatment intended to be specified in the order, and the offender expresses his willingness to comply with its requirements. To determine an offender's suitability for the order, the Probation Service will carry out an assessment in conjunction with treatment services, usually during an adjournment for a Pre Sentence Report.

There is no maximum distance within which offenders are expected to travel to comply with a DTTO. Arrangements for supervision by the Probation Service and treatment provision are made as practicably as possible, taking into account not only the distance offenders have to travel (often on a daily basis) but the complexity of the transportation system and the availability of any specific treatment needed.

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