A pilot project trialling tougher sentences for low level criminals with a drug problem has been criticised for “criminalising” addiction.

The Government has announced plans for a pilot “problem-solving court” on Teesside to tackle the impact of drug and alcohol-fuelled crime.  

It says the courts will deal with low-level criminals who would otherwise face jail time and will make offenders face their addictions, with sentences to include intense supervision and testing to support rehabilitation and strong sanctions if they break the rules.

However, the UK Addiction Treatment (UKAT) group described the courts as “infuriating” and would criminalise addicts.

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The North East reached a record high number of drug-poisoning deaths in 2020, when 389 were recorded, up from 332 in 2019 and 171 in 2010.

Those figures included 123 in Teesside, 16 in Darlington and 72 in County Durham.

The £8.25- million pilot will see the first two courts at Teesside and Liverpool Crown Courts, which have both been identified as areas of high need.

A third PSC will be launched at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court to focus on female offenders with complex needs, including substance misuse.

The Northern Echo: Teesside Crown Court Teesside Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Nuno Albuquerque, consultant treatment lead for UKAT said: “The launch of these problem-solving courts is infuriating and a blatant display of criminalising those suffering with addiction.

“What the Government clearly doesn’t understand is that addiction is merely a symptom; a plaster trying to cover an open wound. The addiction isn’t the problem, something has gone very wrong for the individual and that must be addressed properly, empathetically and professionally for them to subsequently be able to stop using substances to numb their pain and problems. 

“But what we have here instead is our Government pointing their finger at those who are suffering with addiction and blaming them, even threatening to throw them behind bars for something that is out of their control. 

“We should not be shaming addicts. These are vulnerable people who are likely at their rock bottom. 

"Threatening them with jail time if they can’t quickly stop their 5, 10, 15, 20 year-long addiction is utterly ludicrous.”

Read more: Special report: North East has highest drug deaths in England

The courts will be able to issue orders and offenders will see the same judge at least once a month. The Government says they will also be offered intense support and supervision from the probation service as well as have support from others including substance misuse and recovery agencies, housing support and educational services.

They will also have to undertake frequent, random drug testing.

Judges and magistrates sitting in the courts can relax conditions to recognise good progress, as well as sanction offenders for breaches. Offenders can be jailed for up to 28 days, for a maximum of three times and remain on the programme. 

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said: “Getting criminal offenders sustainably off drugs is the gateway to getting them into work and a law-abiding future.

“Only once offenders are drug-free can they grasp the opportunities of skills training and employment and turn their backs on crime for good.

“So these innovative courts will help us grasp the nettle of drug addiction, and make our streets safer.”

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