News & events
Back to Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) E-bulletinsDIP E-bulletin - September 2008
Welcome to the September 2008 edition of the monthly e-bulletin for the Drug Interventions Programme.
Roll-out of new drug test screening device
A new DIP drug testing device has been selected to replace the equipment that has been in use in custody suites over the past five years.
The contract has been awarded to Cozart.
Phased roll-out of the Drugs Detection System (DDS) began in early September across the south of England and should be in place at all DIP intensive sites by the end of October.
New process guidance has been issued to police forces with regard to cases where an offender has accepted the positive drug test result as a reflection of their heroin use but has also declared taking medication. The change, which takes effect immediately, is that samples do not now need to be sent for confirmatory analysis.
Revised versions of the DT1 form and the Operational Process Guidance for Implementation of Testing on Arrest, Required Assessment and Restriction on Bail have been released and published on the Drug Testing Guidance website.
The introduction of the new equipment was one of the topics on the agenda for the September meeting of the Police Strategic Leads group. Quarterly forums provide leads from 23 police forces, and sometimes from partnerships, to share experiences and best practice in delivering DIP at local level and they will have an opportunity to discuss any issues arising from use of the new kits.
Link to latest Key Messages
The latest Key Messages for DIP provide a ‘core script’ to describe the various elements of the programme and the key points that should be understood about them. This can be a useful resource when preparing reports, briefings and other publications about DIP and it is reviewed and updated every two months. The August/September edition is now available.
