The expansion of testing on arrest by police forces across
England and Wales has seen nearly 100,000 drug tests on suspects,
whose behaviour was believed to have been driven by their drug
abuse, since March 2022.
Fifty six per cent of suspects who were tested for drugs having
been arrested for crimes such as robbery, burglary, and car
theft, were found to test positive for either cocaine, opiates,
or both. This testing is crucial for preventing further crime, as
offenders are diverted towards life changing intervention and
treatment services which evidence shows can reduce re-offending.
A sample of tests from police forces shows that over 90% of
positive tests resulted in an assessment by a qualified drug
support worker to ensure those for whom treatment or other
support would be beneficial are referred to an appropriate
service. Nearly half of those assessed were deemed to need
treatment and then referred.
Cocaine is the most common drug to be found out of the two types
of drug currently tested for, representing 87% of positive drug
tests. Thirty one per cent of positive tests were for both
cocaine and opiates whilst 4% tested positive for opiates such as
heroin.
The total number of tests carried out by forces across England
and Wales has increased every quarter since March 2022.
Minister for Crime and Policing
said:
Our plan to tackle drug driven crime is working. The relationship
between drug abuse and criminal behaviour is clear which is why
we've sought to expand the police use of drug testing on
arrest.
Suspects who are caught not only face justice, but are given the
chance to turn their lives around by tackling one the root causes
of their criminal behaviour and this is why we are pushing
through the Criminal Justice
Bill to expand these powers.
The government is committed to expanding the use of drug testing
on arrest by police forces and increasing the powers police have
to test those they arrest for drugs.
Through the Criminal Justice Bill the range of drugs that can be
tested for will be expanded to include some Class B and Class C
drugs, such as cannabis and ketamine, whilst the range of trigger
offences which can lead to a suspect being tested for drugs is
being broadened to include violent offences, football related
offences, and drug driving.
Prior to Home Office funding being made available in the
financial year 2021 to 2022, drug testing on arrest was not used
consistently across police forces, with less than half of forces
across England and Wales reporting test results to the Home
Office and the use of tests within these forces varying
significantly. A total of 37 forces accepted funding on drug
testing on arrest for the financial year 2023-2024.
Drug testing on arrest is one element of the government's
10-year Drug
Strategy which has the long-term goal of reducing drug
related crime and harm and reducing drug misuse by investing in a
whole-system approach.
