Rehabilitation services for drug offenders are ineffective unless started at point of arrest, a charity claimed today.
Crosscare, the social care agency of the Archdiocese of Dublin, says its research shows individuals are more open to understanding the implications of their drug use when entering such services at the point of arrest or shortly after.
"Currently individuals arrested within recreational settings present for drug-education programmes or counselling many months after the offence," says Chris Murphy, director of the Crosscare's drug and alcohol programme.
"These referrals come from the courts, or as a result of a suggestion from a solicitor, but the primary focus for the individual is to avoid a criminal conviction rather than an openness to understand the impact that their drug use may be having in their lives and the lives of others," he said.
Crosscare called on the Probation Service to consider models such as arrest referral that have a proven record in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Mr Murphy believes this could divert individuals from more serious drug use or criminal behaviour.