Pilot referral schemes in 10 areas of England began this week, but no specific support is being provided for the teams that will deal with the people who are referred.
Young people aged 14 to 17 who are charged with offences such as car crime, burglary and theft will be tested for heroin, crack and cocaine.
If traces of these drugs are found in their system, they will be referred to the local youth offending team.
But substance misuse charity DrugScope warned that the scheme would not work without additional investment. Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, noted that two private drug rehabilitation centres, Promis in west London and Middlegate in Lincolnshire, closed recently because of a lack of referrals and funding.
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