London Alcoholic Criminals To Be Tagged
13/02/2012
Alcohol offenders in London are now going to be given US-designed sobriety tests aimed at keeping them free of alcohol, according to the BBC. Those who have been convicted of serious alcohol-related assault or criminal damage offences will be offered the programme as an alternative to going to prison.
The scheme involves using electronic tags, never before used in the UK for this purpose, which will measure the units of alcohol present in the blood of the wearer every thirty minutes. The idea is that if offenders do not reduce their drinking they will then be given a prison sentence.
Kit Malthouse, the Deputy Mayor of London, heard about the programme being used in the USA in South Dakota and has been trying to find a way to adapt it for use in the UK. The Home Office has now pledged £400,000 for the first trial of up to 300 people, which is expected to begin in summer 2012.
It is always sad to see those with alcohol problems slide into criminal behaviour as a result of their dependencies, especially when there are so many options on offer which can help people to get hold of their drinking before it spirals out of control.
If you know somebody who could benefit from some professional help to cope with an alcohol problem, act now and call Wellington Lodge today for friendly and confidential advice from our caring and professional staff.
