Diverting women from the criminal justice system was a key focus of the latest APPG

’ s really important that each intervention is person-specific ,’ Jason Kew told the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drugs , Alcohol and Justice . The latest meeting , themed ‘ fair treatment ’, discussed diversion schemes , the criminal justice system and treatment – a ‘ still punitive ’ system for out-of-court resolutions could be ‘ as damaging as the drug itself ’, he said .

‘ Women ’ s substance use is historically linked to ongoing trauma ,’ said Lydia Clark , senior research officer at the Centre for Justice Innovation , which had produced reports on women ’ s experience , including a briefing on commissioning appropriate treatment ( DDN , March , page 4 ). ‘ Women said they felt exploited ,’ she explained . ‘ One size fits all is not geared up to their treatment .’ Five principles for local authorities would help to improve the treatment offering :

said . We needed to develop women-only spaces and support groups and ‘ build the capacity of the workforce to operate in trauma-informed ways ’, while at the same time developing a legacy of partnership working . Pathways that linked with local hospitals and clinicians gave access to specialist support , while involving lived experience throughout was essential , as ‘ no one understands these needs better than women themselves .’

Working in partnership with drug and alcohol treatment providers – such as the Nelson Trust , a gender-responsive service in the South West – gave the opportunity to offer a ‘ onestop shop ’, where women could access everything they needed in safe spaces .

Lynsey Weston is director of training and diversion at Druglink , a small charity based in Hertfordshire . Druglink has been working with 18 police forces

across England to deliver drug and alcohol interventions , with input from their own staff and other qualified trainers . Looking at the range of interventions they had been providing over the past year , they had seen clearly that one size does not fit all and one of the challenges was to find out how they could engage individuals without making them feel threatened .

By meaningful interventions , they meant raising awareness , minimising harm , building resilience ( by looking at triggers and influences ) and developing skills , including strategies to stay safe and for behavioural change . The aim was to give tailored support from the moment they had the referral .

‘ First we speak to the individual and understand what their values are – they may not want to be in a room with males ,’ she explained . But the main barrier seemed to be

financial , for which they resorted to a small hardship fund . It was about engaging , and they had to ‘ virtually walk some people through the door ’.

Some people came away from the course realising they needed further support , including peer-topeer sessions . ‘ Directing them to a website doesn ’ t work for some people ,’ she said . The team was also looking at how to support affected others , including regular parent support sessions , as well as taking support beyond drug and alcohol services to include people experiencing homelessness . The charity needed to charge a modest fee for the support , whenever possible , and members of the APPG felt strongly that these interventions should receive funding so they were available for free . ‘ We know these courses change people ’ s lives , but we ’ re not catching some people because they ’ re not coming to us ,’ said Weston . DDN