§ Lord Chadlingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to reduce the level of drug use in prisons. [HL4476]
24WA
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)The Prison Service Drug Strategy mirrors the Government's national strategy by seeking to reduce both the supply of drugs and the demand for them. Key elements include:
security and deterrent measures, including mandatory drug testing (MDT);
detoxification services, to manage the physical symptoms that arise from drug dependence, now available in all local prisons;
a CARATs (counselling, assessment, advice, referral and throughcare) gateway service to meet the non-clinical needs of prisoners;
50 intensive treatment programmes to meet the needs of prisoners with moderate to severe drug misuse problems and associated behavioural problems;
voluntary drug testing to offer support to prisoners wishing to remain drug free and willing to be tested;
a wide research programme to develop good practice.