HC Deb 30 March 1998 vol 309 c390W
28. Dr. Iddon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the results of random drug test programmes in prisons. [35181]

Mr. George Howarth

Random mandatory drug test (MDT) results for April to December 1997 show a reduction from 19.9 per cent. to 17 per cent. testing positive for cannabis with a reduction from 5.4 per cent. to 4.1 per cent. positive for opiates. The Prison Service drug strategy review which incorporates research into MDT should provide a clearer picture on how these encouraging trends might be maintained.