Addicts face routine drugs tests

Offenders will be tested for heroin and crack cocaine

Heroin and crack cocaine addicts who commit crime to feed their habits will have to pass regular drugs tests to stay out of prison under a new government scheme.

It is hoped the trials, in Hackney, east London, Nottingham and Staffordshire, will help cut crimes including burglary, robbery and possession or supply of class A drugs.

Courts in the pilot areas will be able to compel addicts to take twice weekly tests.

Those failing to stay clean will be returned to court, where they could be re-sentenced for their original offence.

'Clear message'

Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth said: "The clear message we have to send out to offenders is that doing nothing about their drug misuse is no longer an option.

"The new community sentences we are piloting will be another weapon in our armoury of intervening early through the criminal justice system."

He said the scheme would give the courts a flexible new option for dealing with those involved in drug related crime.

Probation officers will be responsible for testing offenders for heroin or crack cocaine.

The Home Office believes users of the drugs are responsible for a significant amount of property crime.

By testing offenders regularly we will be able to monitor their progress to ensure that they stop using illegal drugs

Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth

Studies have found almost seven out of ten people arrested test positive for an illegal drug, with nearly one in three testing positive for heroin and 20% testing positive for cocaine.

The orders will run for between six months and three years, with offenders tested twice a week for the first 13 weeks and once a week from then on if they are doing well.

Those who fail three consecutive tests or two non-consecutive tests in any six-week period will be considered to have broken the order.

Mr Ainsworth added: "By testing offenders regularly we will be able to monitor their progress to ensure that they stop using illegal drugs, and help them to face up to their drug misuse before it develops into a serious problem."