Compulsory Drug Testing Wanted in Scottish Prisons
According to a poll 91% of those asked would like to see a drug testing policy undertaken in Scottish prisons. Tories have long called for action against drug problems in Scotland’s jails and with good reason. At least 1,705 times drugs have been found in Scottish prisons between January 1st and November 23rd alone. John Lamont, the party’s community safety spokesman said:
“Something clearly has to be done. All prisoners should be subjected to a drugs test upon their arrival in jail. This testing must be comprehensive, robust and consistent. We should be helping prisoners get off drugs, rather than providing an environment for drugs to flourish. We must work harder to help addicts recover and send them on the path to abstinence.”
The party would also like to see drug free wings made in these prisons for prisoners who want to get clean can get the help they need to quit successfully. The group would also like there to be “robust measures” taken with those who supply these drugs to prisoners.
“The benefits to society will be great if we find the political will to take this task on,” said Mr Lamont. “Lower reoffending, less crime and a safer prison environment. It will be good for addicts, good for their families and good for society as a whole, because so much crime in Scotland is fuelled by drugs.”
A Prison Service spokesman isn’t as convinced. “Why have mandatory drugs tests when we already know that over 75 per cent of prisoners arriving in jail test positive for drugs? There is no incentive to conceal it and every incentive to reveal it. Mandatory drug-testing and drug-free areas have been tried. The experience of SPS staff suggests the most effective efforts are those focused on those who want to be helped.”
Tags: Drug Testing, mandatory testing, prison, scotland, torries
