To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in place to carry out drugs testing at accident and emergency departments and police stations.

There are no plans to introduce routine drug testing in accident and emergency departments. Accident and emergency staff are trained in the recognition of substance abuse. They are aware that it may be a causal factor in a patient’s attendance at the department and that it may affect the clinical management of the patient.

Similarly, there are no plans for routine drugs testing in police stations. Police officers can request the attendance of forensic medical examiners, who could take biological samples from the person for testing. This could include, for example, drug testing where drug misuse is suspected.