Drug Interventions Programme
Conditional Cautioning
Conditional Cautioning means that a condition that is conducive to restoration or rehabilitation can be attached to a police caution as an alternative to prosecution. Where the condition is not met, the offender may be charged and prosecuted with the original offence.
Conditional Cautioning with a Drug Intervetions Programme (DIP) drug rehabilitative condition, which can be tailored to the individual and their drug use and offending, began in a small number of early implementation areas in 2005 but has since been rolled out across England and Wales.
The measure provides an early opportunity to identify drug-misusing offenders and engage them in appropriate treatment and support before their lifestyle spirals into a more serious cycle of drug misuse and crime. It is not a soft option and calls for a genuine and practical commitment to an individually-tailored programme. There is a sanction of prosecution for the original offence if the offender does not comply.
