Clause 10 - Drug testing for under-eighteens
Criminal Justice Bill
Public Bill Committees, 7 January 2003, 6:45 pm
Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield, Conservative)
That offers a measure of reassurance, although I think that I am right in saying that, at present, several other options remain available. Until those other options are closed, the possibilities presumably still exist that the old procedures will be applied. The Minister, however, may be able to reassure me that the pilot scheme marks the rapid and immediate disappearance of the old procedures.
A wider policy issue that the Children's Society and the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders rightly raised concerned where drug testing will lead. It is all very well to say that people will be tested for drugs, but for there to be any point in doing so—particularly if one is to consider the consequences of testing children and young people—a rapid, concrete result that will help them is necessary. Otherwise, to test them is just a pointless and further bureaucratic activity that is taking place at police stations. At present, I am not entirely persuaded that the Government have the resources—this has been discussed in statements in the House—to provide assistance to those young people who are found to be drug-positive, as well as constructive help to get them off their addictions.
I do not wish, Mr. Illsley, to widen the scope of the discussion so far that you will call me to order; I accept that I have moved into other areas. However, before we blithely decide that clause 10 is the solution to many of the nation's ills, it is worth considering the fact that the provision to help those of any age who show signs of addiction—this applies as much to juveniles as it does to adults—is woefully inadequate.
The Minister will be aware that my party's proposals envisaged the massive increase in the number of drug treatment places and the offer of alternatives for juveniles to prosecution and entering rehabilitation. That is extremely important, and something that I wish to see developed. However, I see no sign in the Bill that we shall achieve that.