MANDATORY DRUGS TESTING FOR SCOTLAND'S POLICE FORCES

All Scotland's police forces are to introduce mandatory drugs tests in
an attempt to stamp out substance abuse.

The zero-tolerance policy, which will bring Scotland's police into
line with the Army and other agencies and companies across the public
and private sectors, comes as concerns grow over the number of police
officers frequently using recreational drugs.

Reports put the number as high as 1000 officers, 6% of the total
force, using drugs on a regular basis with at least one officer being
charged with dealing. However, the umbrella body for Scotland's eight
forces was unable to confirm the figures.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, which is behind
the roll out of the scheme, insists the move is not a knee-jerk
reaction to an increase in abuse and that any recreational drug use
has been a cause for concern.

Acpos could also not commit to a timescale when the scheme would be
fully implemented, describing it as "work in progress" and that talks
were ongoing with the Police Federation over how the policy would work.

However, Acpos insisted it was not at the stage where every officer
would be tested and said the reason behind the misuse of drugs, as
well as punishing those caught, would be examined. Officers in
Grampian have already undergone the testing for several years, and
within the next few weeks Tayside and Strathclyde will follow suit.

The scheme is expected to see probationers tested on joining, and
every two years afterwards. Further testing will be required for
promotion applicants and officers going for specialist posts such as
firearms. Random testing will also be used on officers suspected of
using drugs. Despite claims by servicemens' groups that alcohol is the
real scourge of the military, the Army has sacked almost 1800
soldiers, equivalent of three battalions of infantry, for drug abuse
in the past three years.

The men were dismissed after testing positive for Class-A narcotics
such as cocaine and heroin during random blood and urine samplings.

A further 251 who tested positive for narcotics classified as
"recreational" were allowed to remain in service provided they took
part in a rehabilitation programme on a last-chance basis.

Tayside deputy chief constable Kevin Mathieson said: "In the last year
we have had police officers and members of police staff investigated
for abusing drugs in their social lives. Those officers and members of
support staff are no longer with the force.

"The development of the national policy will provide a framework for
prevention and management of alcohol and drug-related problems. This
will help create and maintain a healthy workforce and enhance public
trust in police and the service we deliver."

A spokeswoman for the nation's largest force, Strathclyde, said it was
not the intention to test every officer.

Three years ago, at its annual conference, the Police Federation's
Strathclyde branch called for all officers to be routinely tested for
drugs to deter young recruits in particular from misuse. Last night,
Norrie Flowers, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, said: "We
are against officers using drugs but are also concerned welfare issues
be addressed when officers are found to be using drugs."

While some firms, such as Network Rail, are required by law to test
employees, others do so because of health and safety concerns. More
than one in 10 workers subjected to random drugs testing last year by
major construction firm Laing O'Rourke were sacked after their tests
proved positive.

Scottish Power also tests its workers, using the same firm, Medscreen,
as Laing O'Rourke.