Synopsis:

A series of three films following the everyday lives of people coping with the effects of alcohol and illicit drugs, from an up close and personal perspective. The series provides a realistic insight into the nature of drugs and their use, the associated risks, and the impact on individuals, families and communities dealing with the issues.

Programme 3: Crime Prevention

This programme looks at approaches to reducing both criminality and drug-related crime in two very different social locations.

Teachers and lecturers should familiarise themselves with guidelines that apply when working in drug education and be familiar with policies in their institutions relating to tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

00.00 – 01.07
Drug possession and conviction means criminal record. Can affect job and travel prospects. Worse for repeated crime to feed habit. New police referral system in Bradford addresses issues.

01.08 – 05.07
Danny works with users released from prison. Offers to replace street drugs with prescribed ones to break crime cycle. Individual choice. Fails to meet repeat offender Brandon, who scores.

05.08 – 05.47
For first drug offence, hoping person will reflect in cell and volunteer for scheme, avoiding further police action. Would need more workers if compulsory.

05.48 – 08.02
Harrogate, different scene. First-time and regular drug offenders getting on with lives. Referral scheme compulsory for both to avoid criminal sentence. Failure to meet worker, immediate prosecution. Process confidential. Some think it’s a let-off; others think it brings control to drug use.

08.03 – 10.08
Sam injects speed. Has criminal record. Peter helped. Initially she didn't take scheme seriously. Worried about another custodial sentence.

10.09 – 16.54
Brendan meets Danny. Has to make sure he really is using. Subutex prescribed. Will be sick if uses heroin. Adopted mum helped Danny at first. Peter works with Sam who had chaotic speed injector lifestyle.

16.55 – 24.00
Brendan still stealing. Sam cooperates. Brendan taking subutex and crack cocaine. Steals. Back to jail. Sam hopes she won’t get a custodial sentence.