More than a second chance: Realist, qualitative insights on the outcomes of police drug diversion in England

This article explores the personal and social impacts of police drug diversion schemes in England through qualitative insights from 103 interviews and 3 focus groups with diverted individuals (‘divertees’). Building on existing realist programme theory, the research identifies four key mechanisms – learning, signposting, handholding, and need fulfilment – that shape police drug diversion outcomes across varying contexts. Findings reveal that police drug diversion can lead to a range of positive personal and social outcomes through these mechanisms, which are used to explain how police drug diversion supports both occasional and more entrenched drug users in reducing their use, improving wellbeing, and rebuilding social and economic stability. While many divertees benefit from avoiding criminalisation, the article questions whether criminal justice should be the sole or primary access point for support. We conclude that well-designed police drug diversion schemes can offer more than a second chance by addressing unmet criminogenic needs and catalysing meaningful personal change, especially when interventions move beyond education and towards holistic, person-centred support.