MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
News Release issued by The Government News Network on 13 March 2008
Universal testing
for the opiate substitute buprenorphine is to be introduced into
all prisons in England and Wales from 1 April, Justice Minister
David Hanson announced today.
Drug use in prisons, as measured by random Mandatory Drug Tests
(MDT) shows that the positive rate has fallen by 64 per cent over
the last 10 years from 24.4 per cent in 1996/97 to 8.8 per cent in 2006/07.
The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) commissioned a
survey to assess the scale of the illegal use of the drug in
prisons following the increased use of buprenorphine (Subutex) in
the treatment of opioid dependence in the community
Justice Minister David Hanson said:
"Prisons already have in place a comprehensive framework of
supply reduction measures which can be adapted flexibly to meet
local need. The increased misuse of buprenorphine does not detract
from the considerable achievement of prisons over the last 10
years in reducing the supply of drugs.
"Buprenorphine misuse presents a new challenge which is why
testing will now be introduced in all prisons to act as a
deterrent. Prisoners will also be warned of the dangers involved
in misusing this drug and reminded of the drug treatment options
available in prisons.
"As already announced David Blakey, a former member of Her
Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, has been commissioned
to conduct a review of the effectiveness of the measures to
disrupt the supply of illicit drugs into prisons. This is an
important element in the drive against drugs announced by the
Justice Secretary at the end of January and I look forward to
seeing David's findings at the end of May."
The Prison Policy Update published in January included a new
package of measures aimed at tackling re-offending by getting
prisoners off drugs and into work, including:
* A drive against drugs which will cover both drug treatment
programmes in prisons and the review of supply of drugs in prisons
announced earlier this week.
* As well as stamping out the supply of drugs, the Government is
helping offenders kick the habit in prison. By April, 29 prisons
will have introduced the Integrated Drug Treatment System (IDTS),
with enhanced clinical services extended to a further 24 prisons.
* Building on the drug court pilots in West London and Leeds.
* Justice Minister David Hanson undertaking work to draw up a
contract so in return for opportunities for offenders to learn new skills.
* The launch of a new drive to involve more employers, from the
corporate, public and voluntary sectors, in training offenders and
offering them employment.
Notes to Editors
1. Copies of the report "A Survey of Buprenorphine Misuse in
Prisons: July 2007" can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.
http://www.justice.gov.uk
ENDS