Engagement with drug treatment and testing orders: A qualitative study

Aims. To examine the experiences of offenders in engaging with Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs). To identify the processes common to successful engagement and how those processes differ in unsuccessful engagement. Design. Grounded theory method utilising data from semi-structured interviews with DTTO participants. Participants. Fifteen informants at varied stages of DTTO participation across South Yorkshire, England. Findings. Engagement appeared to be affected by factors related to the organisation of services, intensity and relevance of activities, and relationships with staff. There was a changing emphasis in the importance of different aspects as the DTTO progressed. Factors identified relate to well-organised services and the concept of programme integrity. Conclusions. Many of the factors identified as supporting enhanced engagement with DTTOs are under the control of services and staff. There are particular implications for communication among staff and between the staff and offenders.