§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his assessment of the results of random drug tests in prison. [24618]
§ Mr. George HowarthA comparison of mandatory drug test results from 1996–97 with those from April to October last year shows a reduction from 19.9 per cent. to 17.4 per cent. of random samples testing positive for cannabis. Similarly, the percentage of random samples testing positive for the opiates has fallen from 5.4 per cent. to 4 per cent. The causes of these trends are not yet established. Work is currently underway to review the entire Prison Drug Service Strategy. In addition, the results of two pieces of research on the effects of mandatory drug testing are expected imminently. Together, this should provide a clearer picture and indicate how these encouraging trends might be maintained.