Drug testing in the Criminal Justice System: Solutions to a costly commodity

Abstract

Aims: Using drug testing data, the aim was to examine changes in offenders drug use whilst on a UK probation-based drug treatment programme. Additionally, the paper explores experiences of the staff administering drug tests. Methods: Quantitative – Urinalysis or saliva swab drug test results were available for 317 offenders on a DTTO. Results were summarized to show change in negative drug test results per offender between the first and final month of their Order. Qualitative – 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with DTTO staff over a 3-year period. Findings: Offenders with a positive DTTO outcome showed significantly greater changes in drug use than those whose DTTO was revoked. Time spent on a DTTO was positively correlated with changes in drug use. Changes in drug-use were related to the sentencing court, and whether an offender started their DTTO from custody or community. Staff interviews revealed a lack of clarity regarding the purpose of drug testing and little 2-way communication between staff and offenders in relation to drug test results. Conclusions: While multiple problems exist with drug testing these are worth tackling if drug testing is to continue in the UK CJS. Several feasible changes are proposed to maximize the utility of drug testing data.

Keywords:

• Drug testing
• drug treatment
• UK Criminal Justice System

Acknowledgements

The Evaluation was funded by the National Probation Service (NPS). The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the NPS.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.