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Drug suspect assets to be seized Drug suspect assets to be seized
(19 minutes later)
Suspected drug dealers' assets could be seized on arrest, rather than charge, under a new 10 year drug strategy.Suspected drug dealers' assets could be seized on arrest, rather than charge, under a new 10 year drug strategy.
The move is aimed at those who "buy 'bling', plasma screen TVs and other household goods" to avoid holding cash.The move is aimed at those who "buy 'bling', plasma screen TVs and other household goods" to avoid holding cash.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said suspects found to be "completely innocent" would get their goods back.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said suspects found to be "completely innocent" would get their goods back.
Addicts could also lose benefits unless they seek help from a "treatment adviser" but critics say the strategy is meaningless without more cash. Addicts could also lose benefits unless they agree to meet a "treatment adviser" - but critics warn that this could lead to an increase in crime.
The government says it wants to build on its previous 10-year strategy, which it claims has reduced drug use to an 11-year low and drug-related crime by 20% in the past five years.The government says it wants to build on its previous 10-year strategy, which it claims has reduced drug use to an 11-year low and drug-related crime by 20% in the past five years.
'Unacceptable''Unacceptable'
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "We want to see fewer people start using drugs and for our society to be free from the problems caused by drugs.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "We want to see fewer people start using drugs and for our society to be free from the problems caused by drugs.
We expect drug users themselves to take responsibility, and will help them to do so Jacqui SmithHome SecretaryWe expect drug users themselves to take responsibility, and will help them to do so Jacqui SmithHome Secretary
"We want those who do use drugs to enter and finish treatment and move on to lead healthy, drug-free lives."We want those who do use drugs to enter and finish treatment and move on to lead healthy, drug-free lives.
"We want communities to be free of drug-related crime and we want see tough enforcement of the law.""We want communities to be free of drug-related crime and we want see tough enforcement of the law."
She said the government would continue to "send a clear message that drug use is unacceptable" but it would also continue to provide help for people trying to get off drugs.She said the government would continue to "send a clear message that drug use is unacceptable" but it would also continue to provide help for people trying to get off drugs.
And she said there would be more emphasis on helping families hit by addiction.And she said there would be more emphasis on helping families hit by addiction.
"We expect drug users themselves to take responsibility, and will help them to do so," she added."We expect drug users themselves to take responsibility, and will help them to do so," she added.
Other proposals in the strategy include:Other proposals in the strategy 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
      Critics have said the plans are meaningless without more money to support families affected by drug addiction. The strategy has been broadly welcomed by drug treatment charities - but some have warned that cutting addicts' benefits could lead to an increase in crime.
      Deborah Cameron, of drugs charity Addaction, said: "We know of 10,000 children, just through Addaction, who are living with Class A drug users. Alcohol misuse
      "There has got to be properly funded family support services." Harry Walker, of Turning Point, said: "In real life such a policy could have unforeseen problems, including a higher bill for the taxpayer through health and crime costs.
      The strategy includes plans to extend police powers to seize dealers' cash and assets on arrest, rather than conviction. "We would want to see clear evidence from pilot programmes that such a policy would keep people in treatment and would not lead to problems becoming more intractable."
      He also criticised the strategy for not focusing enough on alcohol misuse but he welcomed plans to give more support to former addicts seeking employment and greater use of community sentences.
      Deborah Cameron, of drugs charity Addaction, said more cash was needed to help families hit by addiction.
      "We know of 10,000 children, just through Addaction, who are living with Class A drug users. There has got to be properly funded family support services."
      'Unrealistic'
      The government's strategy includes plans to extend police powers to seize dealers' cash and assets on arrest, rather than conviction.
      It says: "Those who buy 'bling', plasma screen TVs and other household goods, to avoid circulating cash, will have their assets seized before they have a chance to disperse them".It says: "Those who buy 'bling', plasma screen TVs and other household goods, to avoid circulating cash, will have their assets seized before they have a chance to disperse them".
      Click here for a table of drug use estimatesClick here for a table of drug use estimates
      Previous efforts to confiscate the assets of drug dealers and other criminals have met with mixed results.Previous efforts to confiscate the assets of drug dealers and other criminals have met with mixed results.
      The Assets Recovery Agency, set up in 2002, was criticised by the Commons public accounts committee last year for being "ill planned" and "unrealistic" after it spent £65m over four years to recover just £23m.The Assets Recovery Agency, set up in 2002, was criticised by the Commons public accounts committee last year for being "ill planned" and "unrealistic" after it spent £65m over four years to recover just £23m.
      The new strategy will widen what can be seized and scrap the 12-year limit within which recovery proceedings must be taken.The new strategy will widen what can be seized and scrap the 12-year limit within which recovery proceedings must be taken.
      The government aims to recover £250m a year from criminals by 2010.The government aims to recover £250m a year from criminals by 2010.
      The Conservatives and civil liberties groups have questioned the legality of confiscating goods before convictions.The Conservatives and civil liberties groups have questioned the legality of confiscating goods before convictions.