DRUGS PROGRAMME ACHIEVES RESULTS

NEW figures show that a Herefordshire drugs programme is helping to
cut drug-related crime across the county.

The Drugs Intervention Programme (DIP), run by Herefordshire's
Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, has reported a near 50% drop
in domestic burglaries since 2005, along with a 20% fall in vehicle crime.

And between October 2006 and September 2007, the number of
drug-related offences in Herefordshire dropped by more than 15%.

The aim of the DIP is to get those offenders hooked on drugs out of
crime and into treatment. It also points them in the direction of
employment and housing support.

The programme has received 78 new referrals this year, 32 of which
have come directly from prison.

Home Office figures show this is a more effective method than putting
offenders through the courts.

Geoff Hughes, chairman of the Herefordshire Community Safety and
Drugs Partnership, said: "DIP offers a win-win solution.
Drug-misusing offenders get help through treatment and support,
communities suffer less crime and criminal justice costs are reduced."