Legal update in Brighton & Hove

Today sees the enactment of a new law in Brighton & Hove which sees drug testing on arrest and will be enforced by Brighton & Hove Custody Centre.

The program has three parts: the test, the required assessment and the restriction on bail. The test is for those that have been arrested for a number of trigger offences, mainly drug offences.

It is an offence to refuse to provide a sample for a drug test. The drug test will provide a positive or negative result for cocaine and opiates only.

If a positive sample is provided, it is an offence to refuse or fail to attend and remain with a suitably qualified drug worker for an assessment.