What is the Drug Intervention Programme?

The Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) is a crime reduction initiative, which provides support to encourage offenders out of crime and into treatment. It aims to break the cycle of drug misuse and offending behaviour by intervening at every stage of the criminal justice system to engage offenders in treatment and provide aftercare support.

The Drug Intervention is funded by the Home Office and implemented through the Welsh Assembly Government. There are four DIP regions in Wales: South Wales, Gwent, Dyfed Powys and North Wales and in each area the programme is delivered through a Regional Management Board.

The DIP programme is for people over 18 years of age who are entering or about to leave the criminal justice system and are misusing drugs. Contact with the Programme will be made through the Courts, Probation, Police, Prisons, a 24 hour Helpline, self referral or through referral from other key agencies. Clients will have contact with a drug worker who will conduct an assessment and develop with the client a Care Plan that matches available services to the client’s needs. This may include harm reduction advice and information, one to one motivational interviewing, counselling and relapse prevention, drop-in centres, volunteer and mentoring schemes, referral to other substance misuse services, support in accessing General Practitioner specialist substitute prescribing schemes, referral to wrap-around providers such as housing and training and family support.