Thousands of ex-prisoners will face compulsory drug testing after being released from jail as part of a £1.2 million scheme to reduce crime and drug-related deaths. From Monday (October 3) offenders supervised in probation hostels – known as approved premises – will be randomly tested for 14 different drugs.
The initiative is being overseen by prisons minister Rob Butler, who warned as a backbench MP last year that a limited testing regime was failing to prevent drug deaths. Those whose drug habits are directly linked to their crimes, such as heroin addicts, will need to take weekly urine tests.
Others will be tested at least twice during their stay. Offenders who show a positive result face either “intensive” drug treatment or a further prison term.
