Do Drug Diversion Schemes Work? Insights from the Thames Valley Police Drugs Diversion Pilot

This paper examines the development and early outcomes of the Thames Valley Police Drugs Diversion Pilot in West Berkshire, which offers people found in possession of drugs an opportunity to engage with treatment rather than receive a conventional criminal justice sanction. It places the initiative within the wider evolution of UK drug policy and compares it with similar police-led diversion schemes in England and Wales.

Early findings show mixed engagement with treatment: while many eligible individuals initially accepted the offer, 55% did not go on to enter treatment. However, among those who attended an initial assessment, most completed the subsequent treatment sessions. The study also found that 67% of people found in possession of drugs during a comparable period before the pilot would not previously have received a sanction that provided access to treatment. Participants who engaged reported changes in how they thought about their drug use and improved perceptions of procedural justice, while police officers described the scheme as straightforward and efficient to administer.