Cash to help criminal drug users

A scheme to break the link between drug users and crime is being introduced in Doncaster.

Offenders who commit crimes to fund their drug habit will be targeted under the Criminal Justice Interventions Programme.

They will be referred by the police to drug workers who will then guide them into treatment.

The programme will start in Doncaster in 2004 and receive £543,000 from the government.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "From April next year, Doncaster will get more help to tackle the scourge of drugs.

"Drug testing will be expanded so we can identify and treat offenders who are funding their class A drug habit through crime.

He said the scheme was a step forward and could help to prevent anyone "slipping through the net".