Police to introduce drug testing on arrest in Telford
A new initiative is being introduced in the custody suites at police stations in Telford from next Monday that will see many people who are arrested undergo tests for Class A drugs when they are detained.
'Drug Testing On Arrest', is being introduced to help organisations within the criminal justice system to identify and tackle drug related offending. It will also offer partner agencies the opportunity to provide intervention and treatment to individuals who provide a positive test.
From 2 April, any person over the age of 18 who is detained under the following criteria at Malinsgate or Wellington Police
Stations will be requested to provide a drug test. The three categories are:
• Any burglary dwelling offence (including attempts)
• All class A drug supply and possession offences (including attempts)
• Any IOM (Integrated Offender Management) or PPO (Prolific and Priority Offender) prisoners aged over 18 for ANY national trigger offence (including attempts). National trigger offences mainly cover theft, fraud and criminal attempts.
Speaking about the introduction of DTOA in Telford, Detective Inspector Pete Brophy, who is leading on the initiative, said:
"This initiative is initially being launched in Telford but the aim is for it then to be rolled out right across West Mercia over the next few months.
"Following a positive test for Class A drugs such as cocaine or heroin, a detainee is then required to attend two meetings - known as required assessments - with a drugs worker. Wherever possible, the initial assessment should take place during the period of detention.
"Failure to provide a mouth swab and failure to attend the required assessments will be an offence. The requirement to attend both required assessments following a positive test still stands even if a released detainee faces no further action regarding the offence they were arrested for.
"Failure to attend a required assessment is a criminal offence and is punishable by 3 months in prison and/or a fine. However, the overall aim of the initiative is to get an individual into treatment rather than take action for failure to provide or attend required assessments.
"We are confident the introduction of DTOA will allow us to target users of Class A drugs and then channel them into treatment. We also believe the initiative will offer us greater intelligence about drug users - and drug supply and demand - and will also allow us to target our efforts more accurately and with a much higher degree of knowledge.
"Over the next few days persistent offenders locally will be receiving a letter warning them about the introduction of DTOA and I really hope it acts as not only a deterrent to them, but also any other people in Telford who are intent on taking drugs."
