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TOXICOLOGY

Law Enforcement Drug Testing

We have a proud history of developing bespoke solutions to support large-scale government programmes aimed at breaking the link between drugs and crime.

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In the UK, around half of all crime is committed by people who have already been through the criminal justice system with an estimated cost to taxpayers of £9.5 to £13 billion per year. It is for that reason that our work is critical to identifying and engaging drug offenders as early as possible in their involvement with the criminal justice system, from drug testing on arrest through to post-release care.

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Roadside Drug Testing

Increasing road safety by reducing drug driving is a top priority of police forces across the globe. The SoToxa™ Mobile Test System provides the technology needed to screen suspected drug drivers at the roadside, so immediate action can be taken to get dangerous drivers off the road.

The lightweight, portable, handheld test system can detect up to 6 drugs from a single oral fluid sample in a matter of minutes. This eliminates the need to wait for a medical practitioner to advise whether a driver has taken an illegal drug or substance of abuse.

In the UK it is illegal to drive if:

  • you’re unfit to do so because you’re on legal or illegal drugs
  • you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood (even if they haven’t affected your driving)

The police can make you do a ‘field impairment assessment’ and use a roadside drug kit to screen for cannabis and cocaine. If they think you are unfit to drive because of drugs, you’ll be arrested and will have to take a blood or urine test at a police station. You could be charged with a crime if the test shows you have taken drugs.

Visit the government website for more information on the UK Drug Driving law.

Drug Testing in Prisons

In the UK, almost half of those released from prison go on to reoffend within 12 months with an estimated cost to taxpayers of £9.5 to £13 billion per year. Rehabilitation into society is very difficult if somebody leaves prison with a drug problem. In England and Wales, drug use is a major problem in the prison system with 70% of offenders reporting drug misuse prior to prison and 51% reporting drug dependency.

Drug testing alone cannot solve the problem of drugs within prisons. But, it does contribute to the overall objective of reducing drug misuse when used as part of a wider and more comprehensive drug strategy. Therefore, drug testing is of vital importance in aiding the prevention of drug abuse inside prisons and engaging drug misusing offenders as early as possible in their involvement with the criminal justice system.

We are the proud holders of the HM Prison contracts for Compact Based Drug Testing (CBDT) and Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) in England and Wales. We have been working with the prison service for over a decade in aiding the prevention of drug abuse inside prisons.

Testing on Arrest and/or Charge

Testing an individual on arrest and/or charge enables the police to identify adults misusing specified drugs earlier in their involvement with the criminal justice system. In this way, they may be steered into treatment and away from crime as soon as possible. Individuals can be tested at post-arrest, rather than just post-charge, ensuring that those who misuse drugs but are not charged with an offence can be engaged in treatment and other programmes of help.

The Home Office have chosen to use the SoToxa™ Mobile Test System and our laboratory services for drug testing in custody suits since 2001. Drug testing is conducted using our system in over 100 police stations across England and Wales, employing software customised to Home Office requirements.

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