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The DAG Network

A history and overview of the DAG Network

History

The national ‘Drugs Advice Group’ network (DAG), formerly named the ‘Expert Witness Group’ (EWG), was formed in December 2007 when it was realised that Police Officers/Staff who work in the field of providing evidence for drug related cases at court, or work in other ancillary drug related roles, needed a system for communication, information and knowledge sharing with other colleagues in this field.

 

The ACPO Drugs Standing Working Group (SWG) now known as NPCC (National Drug Working Group (NDWG) as created a task and as a result, a contact database was created and circulated to a wide variety of ‘drug practitioners’ across the UK.  This is now managed by the Drug Expert Witness and Valuation Officer Association (DEWVA).  The current DAG coordinator is Mike Kent (Sussex Police).

 

This allows DAG members direct contact with an individual DAG member, a specific policing region or the whole DAG group via a network of SPOCS.  

The Network

This network is similar to other ‘Virtual Networks’, such as those hosted by the Association of Police Controlled Drugs Liaison Officers (APCDLO).  However, the DAG specialises in sharing information that is particularly useful for drug related evidence preparation, as well as many other drug related issues.

 

The DAG presently has over 1000 members (as at 25/01/2024) with Police Scotland, all forces in England and Wales, PSNI, the Channel Islands, British Transport Police, Royal Navy and partner agencies, such as the HM Prison Service, MOD, NCA, the Home Office and forensic service providers being represented.   

 

`These contacts also open up opportunities to the DAG to link in with a variety of other partnerships, such as the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), Border Force, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, National Health Service/Primary Care Trusts, drug treatment agencies, universities and other professional institutions who work in the drugs arena.

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Information Sharing 

This is a ‘two-way’ network where drug related information is both requested and shared.  

 

The type of information sharing that benefits the DAG include: -

  • New or unusual drugs

  • Types, uses and trends – 

  • Adulterant/diluents, types, uses, trends or purities

  • Production/cultivation methods

  • Paraphernalia

  • Concealment methods

  • Text message, audio and ‘tick list’ interpretation

  • Slang / Drill Music 

  • Identification of hazards at drug production / cultivation scenes

  • Crime scene management / forensic issues

  • Drug training issues

  • Local / regional / national / international drug prices

  • Travelling drug dealers

  • Defence ‘experts’ or tactics

Membership requirements

Although it is accepted that all drug practitioners, working in a law enforcement environment, are objective, impartial and independence ultimately assist the court, this DAG network is primarily intended for those police officers / staff who provide their experience and expertise at the request of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in support of Crown prosecutions.

 

It is recognised that there are many others who work within law enforcement and the criminal justice / drugs arena who can also make a positive contribution to this group.

 

These may be involved in drug policy / strategic issues, or individuals involved in covert operational investigations, drugs intelligence, scientific support or training.  To ensure this exclusiveness of the DAG, and maintain the integrity of the membership, a compulsory prerequisite for any membership has a secure email addresses’, or equivalent, cjsm e-mail address, as most information circulated will be GPMS marked 'Restricted/Official Sensitive'.

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Types of Member

Members of the DAG will usually fall into one or more of the below categories: 

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Drug Expert Witnesses: 
Those who are qualified and accepted by the CPS and court as ‘experts’ in the field of criminal use of drugs, attend court to provide evidence of opinion on a wide range of drug related issues, including (but not exhaustively) drug production, cannabis cultivation, drug trafficking, wholesale and retail drug valuation, interpretation of text messages, covertly recorded audio material and dealer’s ‘tick’ Lists.

 

Drugs Valuation Officer
Those who are qualified and accepted by the CPS and court as ‘experts’ in the field of drug valuation, attend court and retail drug valuations.

 

Other Drug Professionals -
Those who work in other areas of drug support: –
• Operations, tactics & enforcement
• Crime scene & forensics
• Intelligence
• Treatment & harm reduction
• Education & training
• Policy & Strategy
• Health & Safety


Coordination
Since the establishment of DEWVA in 2009, the coordination has fallen to its management committee.  The DAG remains separate to DEWVA but also serves as its default communication medium.

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