A Reading List on Responding to Drug-Related Offending through Science-Based Policy and Practice

As justice systems increasingly adopt more health-informed, rehabilitative, and community-based approaches, it is important to understand the complex relationship between substance use, drug-related offending, and access to treatment and support services. This is particularly relevant for people whose contact with the justice system is linked to substance use and related health and social needs.

This reading list brings together key resources that explore science-based approaches to treatment, care, rehabilitation, and justice responses. The resources highlight strategies that support recovery , reduce reoffending, strengthen community safety, and improve outcomes for people in contact with the justice system.

Effective Interventions for Substance Use in Justice Settings

1. Assessment and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders in Jails

This chapter from the Handbook of Mental Health Assessment and Treatment in Jails outlines best practices for professionals conducting assessments and providing treatment and support services in custodial settings. It highlights key considerations for delivering person-centred substance use services within justice environments.

2. Interventions Related to Substance Use Among Incarcerated People

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines which interventions are most effective in improving health outcomes and reducing justice-related harms among people who use substances in custodial settings. The review explores treatment, support, and other health-informed responses designed to address substance use and associated risks.

3. Providing Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Justice Settings: Knowledge Gaps and Proposed Research Priorities

This overview and commentary explore current knowledge gaps and identify future research priorities to strengthen treatment and support services for people in prisons, jails, and other justice settings.

Justice Diversion and Community-Based Responses: Evidence from Police and Court Interventions

4. Police-Led Deflection and Diversion at Arrest: A Systematic Review of the Literature

This review examines the effectiveness of police-led deflection and diversion programmes that redirect people involved in drug-related offending toward assessment, treatment, recovery support, and other community-based services rather than deeper involvement in the justice system.

5. National Institute of Justice Courts Research: Examining Community-Based Responses for Veterans and Other Justice Innovations

This article reviews research conducted by the United States National Institute of Justice on approaches to addressing drug-related offending, including Veterans Treatment Courts. It highlights findings and policy implications related to health-informed, rehabilitative, and community-based responses within court systems.

6. Drug Treatment Courts in Canada: A Science-Based Review with Recommendations for Improvement

This policy brief from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction reviews the effectiveness of Drug Treatment Courts in Canada. It highlights key limitations in current approaches and provides recommendations to strengthen outcomes, improve treatment quality, and enhance alignment with public health and human rights principles.

7. Addressing Drug-Related Offending Through Health-Centred Approaches

This webinar explores how therapeutic justice approaches and community-based responses including treatment courts, deflection initiatives, and rehabilitation models, can reduce drug-related offending by addressing substance use and related needs through coordinated health and justice responses.

Conclusion

Addressing drug-related offending requires coordinated responses that recognise substance use as both a health and social issue. The resources in this reading list highlight science-based approaches—including treatment, diversion, rehabilitation, and recovery support—that can reduce reoffending, strengthen access to care, support long-term recovery, and contribute to safer communities.

By integrating public health and justice perspectives, policymakers, practitioners, and community partners can develop more effective, proportionate, and person-centred responses to drug-related offending.