After section 234A of the 1995 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

“234B Drug treatment and testing order.

(1)

This section applies where a person of 16 years of age or more is convicted of an offence, other than one for which the sentence is fixed by law, committed on or after the date on which section 89 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 comes into force.

(2)

Subject to the provisions of this section, the court by or before which the offender is convicted may, if it is of the opinion that it is expedient to do so instead of sentencing him, make an order (a “drug treatment and testing order”) which shall—

(a)

have effect for a period specified in the order of not less than six months nor more than three years (“the treatment and testing period”); and

(b)

include the requirements and provisions mentioned in section 234C of this Act.

(3)

A court shall not make a drug treatment and testing order unless it—

(a)

has been notified by the Secretary of State that arrangements for implementing such orders are available in the area of the local authority proposed to be specified in the order under section 234C(6) of this Act and the notice has not been withdrawn;

(b)

has obtained a report by, and if necessary heard evidence from, an officer of the local authority in whose area the offender is resident about the offender and his circumstances; and

(c)

is satisfied that—

(i)

the offender is dependent on, or has a propensity to misuse, drugs;

(ii)

his dependency or propensity is such as requires and is susceptible to treatment; and

(iii)

he is a suitable person to be subject to such an order.

(4)

For the purpose of determining for the purposes of subsection (3)(c) above whether the offender has any drug in his body, the court may by order require him to provide samples of such description as it may specify.

(5)

A drug treatment and testing order or an order under subsection (4) above shall not be made unless the offender expresses his willingness to comply with its requirements.

(6)

The Secretary of State may by order—

(a)

amend paragraph (a) of subsection (2) above by substituting a different period for the minimum or the maximum period for the time being specified in that paragraph; and

(b)

make such transitional provisions as appear to him necessary or expedient in connection with any such amendment.

(7)

The power to make an order under subsection (6) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument; but no such order shall be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

(8)

A drug treatment and testing order shall be as nearly as may be in the form prescribed by Act of Adjournal.”