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20/08/2003
Detained addicts to face compulsory drug testing
Addicts who steal to fund their habit will face compulsory drug testing when they are arrested as part of a £46 million package of measures to tackle drug-related crime.
The scheme aims to get offenders off drugs and out of trouble and is being phased into 30 of England's worst-affected areas. It aims to provide support and treatment from the moment they are identified as drug users through to the end of their sentences and beyond.
The compulsory testing will help to identify heroin, crack and cocaine users who steal to fund their addiction and make sure they are identified early and offered the appropriate treatment.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: "For every £1 spent on treatment £3 is saved in the criminal justice system, that is why we are spending record amounts on the fight against drugs - £1.2 billion this year including £503 million on treatment alone.
"Property crime like robbery and car crime is going down, but still remains a problem, fuelled by class A drugs. Drugs can tear communities apart and make thieves and villains out of those who would, under normal circumstances, be law-abiding citizens."
Pilot schemes in Hackney and Haringey have found that as many as 66% of offenders tested positive for drugs.
(gmcg)
The scheme aims to get offenders off drugs and out of trouble and is being phased into 30 of England's worst-affected areas. It aims to provide support and treatment from the moment they are identified as drug users through to the end of their sentences and beyond.
The compulsory testing will help to identify heroin, crack and cocaine users who steal to fund their addiction and make sure they are identified early and offered the appropriate treatment.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: "For every £1 spent on treatment £3 is saved in the criminal justice system, that is why we are spending record amounts on the fight against drugs - £1.2 billion this year including £503 million on treatment alone.
"Property crime like robbery and car crime is going down, but still remains a problem, fuelled by class A drugs. Drugs can tear communities apart and make thieves and villains out of those who would, under normal circumstances, be law-abiding citizens."
Pilot schemes in Hackney and Haringey have found that as many as 66% of offenders tested positive for drugs.
(gmcg)
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Rise in crack users sent for treatment
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21 June 2006
Government announces funding for drug treatment services
Drug treatment services across the country will receive an extra £95.2 million this year, under new plans announced by the government. The Department of Health, supported by £22 million of funding from the Home Office, will provide Drug Action Teams with £394.6 million - an increase of over 30% from last year.
Government announces funding for drug treatment services
Drug treatment services across the country will receive an extra £95.2 million this year, under new plans announced by the government. The Department of Health, supported by £22 million of funding from the Home Office, will provide Drug Action Teams with £394.6 million - an increase of over 30% from last year.
25 September 2015
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
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27 July 2004
Teenagers and beggars to face drugs testing
Teenagers and beggars who are charged with drug-related crimes are to be tested for class A drugs, the Home Office has announced today. Fourteen to 17-year-olds who are charged for a 'trigger offence', such as burglary, car crime and theft, will be tested for heroin, crack and cocaine.
Teenagers and beggars to face drugs testing
Teenagers and beggars who are charged with drug-related crimes are to be tested for class A drugs, the Home Office has announced today. Fourteen to 17-year-olds who are charged for a 'trigger offence', such as burglary, car crime and theft, will be tested for heroin, crack and cocaine.
04 December 2003
Ecstasy in decline but drug use is 'stable'
Class A drug use overall has remained the same but ecstasy use has fallen by a fifth, according to Home Office figures published today. Figures for 2002/03 show that class A drug use among young people has been "broadly stable" since 1996 with recent falls in some individual drugs, such as ecstasy which has fallen for the first time.
Ecstasy in decline but drug use is 'stable'
Class A drug use overall has remained the same but ecstasy use has fallen by a fifth, according to Home Office figures published today. Figures for 2002/03 show that class A drug use among young people has been "broadly stable" since 1996 with recent falls in some individual drugs, such as ecstasy which has fallen for the first time.
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