Since Saturday, 1 April, adults arrested in the county have been asked to take a saliva test for cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin use if officers believe Class A drugs have contributed to the crime.
57% of the 1,979 people tested between the start of April and Saturday, 30 September this year, tested positive for cocaine, crack cocaine or heroin.
1,079 of those have been referred to specialist drugs workers to be assessed.
By the end of last month, 338 of those had already successfully completed a treatment course.
Tests are also automatically requested of any adult arrested in Essex for an acquisitive crime or possession of Class A drugs.
Acquisitive crimes include theft, burglary, robbery and fraud which, along with certain drug offences, are also being targeted because people often deal drugs or steal to fund their drug habit.
Essex Police’s lead on drugs and alcohol, Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow says disrupting this connection is key to reducing violent crime in Essex.
“We know that, often, people arrested for violent offences have used cocaine and other Class A drugs. And we know many people steal to buy the drugs they are addicted to,” he says.
“So we’re working with drugs treatment services to turn people away from using these drugs and reduce their offending.
“If we can divert more people from using heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, we believe we will see a reduction in violence and acquisitive crimes.
“Fewer crimes mean fewer victims,” adds Chief Superintendent Anslow. “And that will reduce the fear and misery drugs and drug use cause in our communities.”
A positive result cannot be used as evidence of a previous crime but will be used to book an assessment with a specialist drugs worker from one of the three drugs treatment services that Essex Police are working with across the county. These include Phoenix Futures in the Essex County Council area, Forward Trust in Southend and Inclusion Visions in Thurrock.
While someone cannot be forced to take a saliva test, they can be prosecuted if they fail or refuse one. They can also be prosecuted for failing to attend an initial assessment or follow-up appointment with their drugs worker.
In an online statement from Essex Police, it says that “42 people who refused across the six month period have been or will be prosecuted for this, while 344 have been or will be prosecuted for failing to attend an assessment or follow-up assessment.”
Ben Attridge is the force’s drug test on arrest (DTOA) co-ordinator who follows up cases where someone does not attend a referral appointment.
He says: “Many crimes are fuelled by Class A drug use and we need to break this cycle. By testing people arrested for violent crimes, including domestic abuse, and drug-related or acquisitive crimes, such as theft, we can identify whether they are a drug user.
“If they are, they will need specialist help to stop taking drugs. So we will refer them to partner agencies who will provide the specialist treatment, counselling and education they will need to help them stop taking the drugs and, ultimately, divert them from criminal behaviour.”
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