Summary: Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA) programme
Updated 20 November 2025
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This page provides a summary of the data returns from the Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA) programme since the expansion programme launched in March 2022, with supplementary data tables to support the interpretation of the headline figures Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA): programme data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)].
This data collection may not present a complete picture of the national DToA activity, as returning data to the Home Office is not compulsory for forces.
Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA)
The aim of Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA) is to identify individuals whose criminal activity is believed to be caused, at least in part, by the use of certain Class A drugs and who would benefit from treatment or support, and direct them towards such service. There is evidence that treatment works to reduce drug use and drug-related offending [footnote 1].
DToA is a police power that can test for the presence of certain Class A drugs (cocaine and certain opiates) on arrest, for individuals aged 18 and over; and after charge, for individuals aged 14 and over. Tests are conducted either following the committal of a trigger offence, or with Inspector or above authority following the committal of any offence. The test is based on a saliva swab which seeks the presence of cocaine and certain opiates. ‘Trigger’ offences are defined in law [footnote 2] (typically acquisitive crimes), ‘non-trigger’ offences cover all other offences.
Non-trigger offences can be tested for where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that specified Class A drug use has contributed to or caused the offence and an Inspector or higher has granted approval.
Following a positive test, police can refer individuals to an assessment to identify any need for treatment or support such as counselling. During this assessment the decision to refer to treatment is undertaken by a qualified drug support worker to ensure those for whom treatment or other support would be beneficial are referred to the appropriate services.
DToA programme monitoring data to March 2025
Forces returning data
A total of 37 forces returned data at some point to the Home Office during the period March 2022 to March 2025, including nil returns (where a force has not conducted any tests for that month).
Reported tests
In the period March 2022 to March 2025, a total of 194,234 tests were reported to the Home Office by police forces. Of the 194,234 tests reported, 107,094 tests were positive for cocaine, opiates, or both. This is a positive test rate of 55%. The most recent quarter represents the highest number of tests (19,809) reported in any quarter since this data collection began.
Referrals to assessment
Referral to assessment data is available for nearly 60% (48,107) of positive tests between March 2023 and March 2025. Of these, 90% (43,232) resulted in a referral to assessment for treatment.
In January to March 2025, 4,693 positive tests (88% of positive tests with available data) resulted in a referral to assessment, falling from a peak of 6,642 in April to June 2024.
Referrals to treatment
Where data is available for referrals to treatment, over 50% (4,914) of referrals to assessment led to referral to treatment. Due to the limited number of forces returning this type of data (for example, 11 forces in October to December 2024), this may not reflect the proportions of all tests which result in a referral to assessment or treatment.
Further details of the test data reported can be found in the supplementary tables on this page.