New research examining more than 62,000 criminal incidents across 13 police forces in England found that police-led drug diversion schemes are associated with significantly lower reoffending rates than traditional prosecution for drug possession. Individuals who were referred to treatment or education services through diversion programmes were around one-third less likely to reoffend than those who were prosecuted.

The study also found that diversion schemes remain underused, with many eligible individuals not being referred despite established programmes in some police forces. Researchers...

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...

Arrest Referral (AR) schemes in London were established to connect people who use drugs with treatment services at the point of arrest through collaboration between police and drug service providers. Based on interviews with police officers and drug workers, the study explores the practical challenges of delivering treatment referrals within police custody settings, differences in professional perspectives, and the development of effective working relationships over time. The findings highlight the value of collaboration between health and criminal justice agencies in improving referral...

This systematic review examines the association between religiosity, spirituality, and cocaine use by analysing findings from 20 observational studies involving adults and adolescents. Most studies found that higher levels of religiosity were associated with lower lifetime and current cocaine use, suggesting that religious engagement may serve as a protective factor against substance use.

The review also highlights important exceptions. One study involving sexual minority participants found that certain forms of private religious practice were associated with higher cocaine use, while several...

This article explores how faith-based recovery programs combine spiritual support with evidence-based addiction treatment to help people achieve and maintain recovery. These programs integrate religious beliefs and practices with services such as detoxification, counselling, behavioural therapies, rehabilitation, and aftercare.

Faith-based approaches may provide additional benefits through shared values, community support, accountability, and opportunities to address feelings of shame and stigma often associated with substance use disorders. The article also highlights a range of faith...

This meta-analysis reviewed 55 longitudinal studies involving more than 540,000 participants to examine the relationship between spirituality and harmful or hazardous alcohol and other drug use. The findings show that spiritual and religious involvement is associated with a 13% reduction in the risk of substance use and related harms, with even stronger protective effects among individuals who regularly participate in religious communities.

The protective association was observed across alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other illicit drugs, and was linked to both prevention of substance use and...