Priti Patel to announce expansion of drug testing on arrest

Tomorrow at the Conservative Party Conference the Home Secretary will outline plans for a £15 million expansion testing offenders for drug use upon arrest, helping to identify people misusing drugs – so we can address their behaviour and reduce crime.

The Home Office will provide financial support for drug testing on arrest to all 43 police forces in England and Wales, this will help identify a greater number of drug users, reinforce the consequences for drug use and ultimately help to cut crime.

Testing on arrest will see officers testing suspects in custody for the presence of heroin or cocaine. The powers are predominantly used to test individuals who have been arrested for so called ‘trigger offenses’ such as shoplifting, burglary and robbery. Police also routinely test suspects in fraud offences and certain drug-related crimes, including possession and intent to supply.

More than £15 million will be invested over the next four years to expand the programme.

A total of £375,000 will be offered to police forces immediately to expand their use of drug testing on arrest. The Government will offer £5,000 to all 43 forces in England and Wales to invest in extra testing equipment and training for police officers and staff this year.

And in addition to this, five forces will receive an additional £32,000 boost this year to increase testing for a wider range of offences – which could include domestic abuse and public order offences.

Individuals who test positive for opiates or cocaine will be referred to a range of follow-up measures – including treatment and drug awareness courses – to tackle the problem at its root and reduce the prevalence of drug misuse across society.

Whilst the Labour party are backing calls to effectively decriminalise drug use The Conservatives will always back measures to identify a greater number of drug users and to crack down on so-called recreational drug use, ensuring that those who break the law face consequences.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

“Drugs devastate lives. They ruin communities and they tear families apart.

“Testing offenders for drugs will help increase our understanding of drug fuelled crimes, ensure addicts get the help they need, and ultimately cut crime.

“Whilst the Labour party are backing calls to effectively decriminalise drug use, we will take the tough decisions needed to make our streets and communities safer.”

NOTES

• We are expanding support for drug testing on arrest to all 43 police forces in England and Wales, helping to identify a greater number of drug users and to reinforce the consequences for drug use. Drug testing on arrest is predominantly used to test individuals who have been arrested for so called ‘trigger offenses’; drug, fraud and acquisitive crimes (such a shoplifting, burglary and robbery), to establish whether they are using cocaine or opiates.

• Those who are confirmed as using drugs will be diverted into a range of consequences, education or support services. The exact consequence depends on the local approach to offending but could include being made to attend an initial assessment with a drugs worker to see what any appropriate treatment may be, education programmes, or other support to tackle their drug related offending. Attendance at these assessments is mandatory.

• Drug testing is a powerful tool for identifying drug-misusing offenders. A positive drug test for heroin, crack or cocaine use is a valuable gateway to ensure the offender can access treatment and other support to tackle their drug-related offending.

• Following a positive test, there are also legal sanctions for those unwilling to address their drug misuse and drug-related offending. In areas currently operating drug testing on arrest, around two-thirds of those entering treatment are identified following the initial drug test^[1].

• This expansion will support many forces in setting up drug testing on arrest or expanding existing capacity. Any data collected will help increase our understanding how the use of cocaine and opiates are associated with crime.

• £215,000 is being made available with each 43 police forces being offered £5,000 which could be used to purchase tests and/or to provide training to officers. Forces will be able to use the money to begin or increase drug testing on arrest within their force.

• A further five forces will be granted an additional £32,000 each to fund additional kit and equipment. They will also be able to surge testing for other types of offenses than just ‘trigger offenses.

The five forces are:

• City of London Police
• South Yorkshire Police
• West Midlands Police
• Hertfordshire Police
• Gwent Police

The Labour Party would effectively decriminalise drug use:

• Keir Starmer backed Scotland’s new drugs policy of not prosecuting those found in possession of Class A drugs, such as heroin, crystal meth, and crack cocaine – giving the green light to organised drug gangs that wreak havoc on communities ‘STUDIO: “Do you welcome what is happening in Scotland?” STARMER: “It is probably the right thing to do” (ITV, Representing Border, 23 September 2021, archived).

• He then described the change in policy as ‘very important’. ‘The policy shift is important’ (STV News, 24 September 2021, archived).

• Nick Thomas-Symonds also confirmed that he supports not prosecuting those found in possession of Class A drugs. ‘Nick Thomas-Symonds told The Telegraph on Friday that “my view is the same as his”, after the Labour leader said it was “probably the right thing to do” for police to warn drug users caught with heroin, cocaine and crystal meth rather than force them to face court’ (The Telegraph, 24 September 2021, link).

• David Lammy told Labour Conference that he does not believe in short prison sentences – showing Labour would rather side with criminals than the victims of crime. ‘I don’t believe in short sentences, which this government does seem to believe in’ (David Lammy, Labour Party Conference 2021, 27 September 2021, archived).