The Netherlands Drug Situation 2010 - Trimbos-instituut

country. They offer a combination of prevention and repression and they can intervene inan early phase of the detrimental processes of youngsters.Local drug policiesOn a local level, there are initiatives to ban the use of cannabis in the public domain andto ban drugs use in general from dance events. This is a decision on local level. Accordingto Nabben (2010), this is motivated not so much by public nuisance or large-scaledrug dealing, but more by an intensifying focus on public order and safety and a desire toheighten the authorities’ visibility and pro-active law enforcement efforts. See also Chapter1.9.3 Interventions in the criminal justice systemA considerable fraction of crime and recidivism in the Netherlands is attributable tochronic drug users with high rates of crime, the ‘prolific offenders’ (Tollenaar et al. 2008,Tollenaar et al. 2010). Reduction of recidivism is one of the priority areas in the SecurityProgram of the government. The following measures are applied: Intensified efforts on re-integration. In the “Safety houses” (see § 9.2.2) a trajectory,ranging from prosecution to care after prosecution or detention, is scheduled forthem. Intensified participation in care programmes as an alternative to prison (see § 9.3.1),participation in behavioural interventions and aftercare (see § 9.3.2). More, more stringent and intensified supervision of offenders by addiction probationservices (see § 9.3.2). Longer periods of imprisonment; a special measure of Placement in an Institution forprolific offenders is in force since 2004 (see § 9.3.2).9.3.1 Alternatives to imprisonmentIn the case of drug users, the general principle is that this type of crime can only be reducedby offering problematic drug using offenders treatment or care. This viewpoint wasconfirmed again in 2008 (T.K.24587-299, T.K.31110-5).The number of referrals of offenders with an addiction problem shows a clear rising trend(table 9.3.1).Table 9.3.1 Referrals to care as an alternative to imprisonment 2002-2009YearNumber of diversions2002 1,5682003 2,1152004 2,2542005 2,0812006 3,2262007 3,6842008 4,0052009 4,514Source: Addiction Probation Services, 2010.132