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Home Office

Answer

Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations have been carried out by his Department on the reliability of the drugs tests currently available. [161181] Caroline Flint: Drug testing technology and its reliability is kept under constant review by the Home Office due to its applicability to roadside impairment testing and its relevance in the workplace. The extent and definition of `reliability' in these different settings is by nature of the criminal law different in each case. Recently there has been research on the reliability of different methods of drug testing carried out by the Forensic Science Service (FSS) for the specific purpose of testing persons in custody suites to see if they have used drugs. The research used saliva as a point-of- contact using the Cozart RapiScanTM electronic test strip reader, one of few commercially available on-site testing kits for oral fluid (saliva). Overall, the results of this study revealed that saliva based testings are not reliable enough to evidence impairment for the purposes of charge for driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. In the workplace, the requirements of the criminal law do not have to be met and it is up to employers to decide what margin of proof is required to consider action against specific employees. Saliva, urine hair analysis or blood tests may all be sufficiently reliable. The Home Office does provides guidance on the various types of tests available to any companies who seek advice, which suggests that some tests are more reliable than others. In the July 2004, an independent inquiry report on drugs testing in the workplace will review some of the complex and wide reaching issues surrounding drug testing in the workplace including the reliability of different testing devices. The report will be the first attempt to give a full picture of drug testing in the workplace and will include recommendations to government, employers and other relevant bodies.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

161181; 421 c855-6W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Health and safety Drugs Driving under influence Misuse Research Testing

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk