Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 January 2002. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Friday, 11 January 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the value of workplace drug testing for (a) alcohol, (b) cannabis, (c) heroin, (d) amphetamine and (e) cocaine among civil servants.

Answer: Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the value of workplace drug testing for (a) alcohol, (b) cannabis, (c) heroin, (d) amphetamine and (e) cocaine among civil servants. [24997] Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Home Office Drug Strategy Directorate is currently developing, with partners, a strategy for tackling the issue of drug misuse in the workplace. One of the proposed outcomes is the production of definitive guidance to employers, in all sectors, of best practice in managing drug issues in workplace settings. The strategy will aim to include a balanced view on the comparative worth of drug testing as a tool for employers, and cover each of the drugs specified in the question. The current intention is to publish the guidance during the financial year 2002-03 and make it widely available.

Secondary information