As of February 2023, in addition to the ability to drug test people released on license, Practitioners will now have the ability to test those with a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR). Previously, availability was inconsistent across regions however additional funding from the 2021 spending review, aims to ensure that access to drug testing for those with a DRRs is equitable. 

Supporting guidance will be issued, and my SPO will communicate their expectations on testing, which will depend on our resource and capability. 

They will carry out the tests during standard probation supervision appointments using a back-to-lab test kit and will receive results back 72 hours after the Lab receives the sample in the post. 

There are two elements to a test that can be carried out, an initial screening which will generally be sufficient for supervision purposes but if necessary for legal purposes an additional confirmatory test will be needed. Staff should only carry out a confirmatory test for legal purposes. On the form accompanying a sample staff must ensure they indicate that the test is a for a person with a DRR.  

The process for ordering tests remains the same as for ordering kits for testing on license, however a new cost code will need to be entered for tests allocated to DRRs. My Corporate Services Team have been briefed and will inform us of the new code and full details of how to procure are on a procurement bulletin.