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Tougher measures for drug dealers Tougher measures for drug dealers
(about 5 hours later)
Suspected drug dealers could have their assets seized on arrest, rather than when charged, under the government's latest 10-year drugs strategy. Suspected drug dealers' assets could be seized on arrest, rather than charge, under ministers' new drugs strategy.
Ministers are expected to announce a raft of new measures later, including withdrawing benefits from addicts who drop out of treatment programmes. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says it would stop assets being "salted" away - and said suspects who were "completely innocent" would get their assets back.
The Conservatives and civil liberties group questioned the legality of confiscating goods before convictions.The Conservatives and civil liberties group questioned the legality of confiscating goods before convictions.
Ministers will insist it is necessary to prevent dealers from hiding assets. Ms Smith also said drug addicts would lose benefits unless they attended a meeting with a "treatment adviser".
class="bodl" href="/1/hi/uk/7264958.stm">Click here for a table of drug use estimates Ahead of the launch she told BBC Radio 4's Today she wanted to see how the benefits system could be used "to help people to go all the way through effective treatment".
Other moves expected to be announced, include: She said there would be a "basic expectation that if drugs are stopping you getting into work you need to come along and actually have an interview with a treatment provider so we can at least get you into treatment, on the path to getting drug free and back to work".
It is part of a package of measures in a 10-year drugs strategy Ms Smith said was intended to get people off drugs and cut drugs-related crime, notably addicts "nicking things".
Other proposals include:
  • Grandparents will be encouraged to look after children whose parents are addicts
  • Grandparents will be encouraged to look after children whose parents are addicts
  • Social workers will intervene earlier when children are growing up around problem users
  • Social workers will intervene earlier when children are growing up around problem users
  • Schools will be rated by Ofsted inspectors on the effectiveness of anti-drugs lessons
  • Schools will be rated by Ofsted inspectors on the effectiveness of anti-drugs lessons
  • New deals will be sought with foreign governments to reduce trafficking
  • New deals will be sought with foreign governments to reduce trafficking
  • Women and ethnic minorities will have better access to drug treatment
  • Women and ethnic minorities will have better access to drug treatment
    The BBC's home editor Mark Easton said critics had accused the measures of being "unworkable gimmicks".The BBC's home editor Mark Easton said critics had accused the measures of being "unworkable gimmicks".
    He said they were arguing the real focus should be on the tens of billions of pounds due to be spent on the actual treatment itself over the next decade.He said they were arguing the real focus should be on the tens of billions of pounds due to be spent on the actual treatment itself over the next decade.
    National targets will still be based on numbers signed up for treatment and retention on the scheme for 12 weeks rather than the effectiveness of treatment, our correspondent added. National targets will still be based on numbers signed up for treatment and retention on the scheme for 12 weeks rather than the effectiveness of treatment.
    'Notable successes' class="bodl" href="/1/hi/uk/7264958.stm">Click here for a table of drug use estimates
    Currently only 3% left the scheme free of all illegal drugs, prompting a debate as to whether more emphasis should be placed on getting problem users off drugs, Mark Easton said.Currently only 3% left the scheme free of all illegal drugs, prompting a debate as to whether more emphasis should be placed on getting problem users off drugs, Mark Easton said.
    He went on to say there is also concern that a focus on punishment and enforced treatment fails to encourage programmes to reduce the harm caused by drugs.He went on to say there is also concern that a focus on punishment and enforced treatment fails to encourage programmes to reduce the harm caused by drugs.
    A Home Office spokesman said: "We now know that we can succeed in tackling drugs - because the last 10 years have seen progress and some notable successes.A Home Office spokesman said: "We now know that we can succeed in tackling drugs - because the last 10 years have seen progress and some notable successes.
    "The percentage of people who use drugs has fallen since 1998, and is at an 11-year low."The percentage of people who use drugs has fallen since 1998, and is at an 11-year low.
    "Because we have invested in drug treatment, we are getting people into treatment quicker than ever before - with people waiting on average less than two-and-a-half weeks for treatment, rather than nine weeks in 2001.""Because we have invested in drug treatment, we are getting people into treatment quicker than ever before - with people waiting on average less than two-and-a-half weeks for treatment, rather than nine weeks in 2001."