High-Crime-Causing Users (HCCU)
Problems addressed
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is a program developed by the police in collaboration with therapeutic and welfare services aimed at high-risk offenders between the ages of 20 and 45. The objective is to reduce criminal behavior, assuming that the treatment of those individuals can contribute to crime reduction.
The pilot project included:
1) User participation in intensive therapeutic actions, such as weekly consultations with a social worker to discuss drug problems and possible relapses;
2) Liaison with social assistance services to provide access to housing;
3) Training and educational support.
The liaison between the police and other social assistance providers expands communication and accountability for the care and monitoring of users, aiming at a faster response in case of non-attendance or abandonment of actions.
In addition, it contributes to a more intense police involvement and knowledge of the commitment and therapeutic progress of the population served by the program, as well as to specific interventions by the police when treatment non-compliance is detected.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation study showed that the program generated an average reduction of 3.5 arrests, which translates into a 55% probability of being arrested [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Best, D., Walker, D., Aston, E., Pegram, C. & O'Donnell, G. (2010). Assessing the impact of a high-intensity partnership between the police and drug treatment service in addressing the offending of problematic drug users. Policing and Society, 20(3), 358–369. https://doi.org/10.1080/10439463.2010.493609

Information source