HL Deb 01 May 2001 vol 625 c75WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any difficulties have been experienced in prisons with mandatory drug testing of prisoners who are prescribed pankillers; and if so, which painkilling drugs are not prescribed for this reason. [HL1804]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

No difficulties have been reported. The mandatory drug testing process is able to differentiate between commonly prescribed painkillers and illicit drugs such as heroin, provided the prisoner declares all prescribed medication.