Written question asked by Lord Mawhinney (Conservative) on Monday, 2 February 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 February 1998. It was answered by George Howarth (Labour) on Thursday, 5 February 1998 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the time elapse after which it is not possible to detect heroin in prisoners using present drug detecting equipment.

Answer: Sir Brian Mawhinney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the time elapse after which it is not possible to detect heroin in prisoners using present drug detecting equipment. [27512] Mr. George Howarth: Using the testing processes and cut-off levels employed on behalf of the Prison Service, it is possible to determine that a positive test result was definitely due to heroin in a urine sample taken up to 12 hours after last use. Heroin degrades to morphine, which can be detected for up to seven days after last use. In these circumstances, it is not possible to be certain that heroin was the drug used.

Secondary information