Britain
Prime Minister Tony Blair has asked the Home Office to look into
requiring drug testing of any offender arrested for burglary or
theft, two offenses that he said are driving up drug use, the
BBC reported April 4.
Currently, police only have the authority to order heroin and cocaine testing
if the suspect has been charged. Blair said more early intervention would allow
the government to identify offenders with potential drug problems and offer treatment
options. He said testing would divert drug users away from crime and into treatment.
According to U.K. statistics, three in four crack cocaine and heroin users said
they commit crimes to support their addiction.
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