Drugs & Alcohol
Drug Testing Successful at Beating Crime
Drug testing is helping to combat drug related crime by quickly identifying problem drug users. This enables the police to target those who may become repeat offenders, according to new research.
Title: Evaluation of drug testing in the criminal
justice system in nine pilot areas
Author: Research Development and Statistics
Directorate
Series: Home Office Findings 180
Date Published: 28 March 2003
Number of Pages: 4
Results show that a high proportion of those charged with offences such as burglary or vehicle crime tested positive for
class A drugs such as crack, cocaine and heroin.
Area |
Percentage of trigger offenders testing positive for Crack, Cocaine or Heroin |
Hackney |
66 |
Nottingham |
58 |
Stafford and Cannock |
45 |
Bedford |
54 |
Blackpool |
44 |
Doncaster |
63 |
Torquay |
36 |
Wirral |
58 |
Wrexham / Mold |
56 |
Arrestees found to test positive for drugs can then be targeted by the police using a Drug Abstinence Order or a Drug Abstinence Requirement.
The drug testing pilot programme was introduced in 2001 in three areas before being extended to a further six sites in the summer of 2002. Powers to test some offenders for drugs will shortly be introduced in the 30 areas identified as being the worst affected by drug related crime.
Last update: 25 May 2005