According to weekend reports in the press, the government is expected to announce radical plans to cut crime committed to feed drug habits at the Labour party conference this week.

Among the proposals are likely to be mandatory drug testing of offenders and a clampdown on bail for users of hard drugs.

However, the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (Nacro) says courts can already refuse bail if they believe it is likely a detainee will commit further offences.

It is opposed to bail being withheld.

"Remanding more defendants to drug-ridden prisons is hardly the most sensible way of reducing drug-related crime," said Helen Edwards, chief executive of Nacro.

She added it would be better to offer treatment to defendants while they are on bail so they can "make a start on tackling their drug problem".

Civil liberties campaigners have also expressed concerns about denial of bail for drug users.

Testing

However, Nacro backs mandatory drug testing of detainees, although only if this is followed by speedy arrangements for treatment of addicts and a positive result is not used as a pretext for more charges.

"The government is right to give top priority to tackling drug-related crime," said Ms Edwards.

A third of property crime is drug-related

"But mandatory drug testing of suspects can only be justified if it leads to help and treatment for addicts, not to additional prosecutions and heavier punishment."

Research shows up to a third of all property-related crime is committed by drug users in order to gain money to fund their habit.

The government believes treating offenders with drug problems could significantly reduce crime.

A recent study of 1,000 drug users found that criminal activity halved after treatment.

It is estimated that for every £1 spent on drug treatment, £3 is saved on the costs of crime.

Earlier this year Home Secretary Jack Straw announced an extra £20m for drug arrest referral schemes.

The schemes, 125 of which are already operating in England and Wales, aim to reduce drug-related crime by ensuring that people arrested for such offences are referred to drug counsellors.