The scheme offers help to offenders in police cells

Police say the Arrest Referral Scheme, which has been running in Tayside, has reduced the rate of re-offending.

The NCH Scotland initiative is being discussed at a major drugs conference on Friday.

Tayside Police found 92% of those who accepted help committed no offences or fewer offences in the following six months.

Drug problems

Results also showed that half of those who joined the project stayed completely out of trouble.

Staff from NCH Scotland approach offenders as they are brought into custody, asking if they want help with drink or drug problems.

The aim of the scheme is to address the problem that leads people to offend. They are still punished for the crimes they have committed but given a chance to address the root of their problem.

The Scottish Executive has set aside �1m over two years for arrest referral schemes.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson has previously outlined her support for such schemes.

Random tests

She said: "For those whose crimes are serious enough for a custodial sentence to be considered, we have made Drug Treatment and Testing Orders available to courts across Scotland - a disposal which makes offenders undertake treatment and agree to regular, random drug tests throughout the order.

"Arrest referral is an additional intervention opportunity, an opportunity to get offenders into treatment earlier and quicker."

Scotland's senior police officers are discussing the initiative at a drugs conference being held in Dunblane.

A number of police forces across Scotland have already shown an interest in the scheme.