11805 Drug Driving

I write in connection with regards to your request received in this office on 4^th March.  Please accept our sincere apologies for the late response due to staffing issues in the Department providing the data.  I note you seek the following:

1. A breakdown of the total number of people who tested positive for each of the 16 drugs listed in section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Please could you provide a breakdown for the past five years, starting with March 2015 – February 2016, March 2016 – February 2017, March 2017 – February 2018, March 2018 – February 2019 and March 2019 – February 2020.

First drug detected	March 2015- Feb 2016	March 2016- Feb 2017	March 2017- Feb 2018	March 2018- Feb 2019	March 2019- Feb 2020
Positive For Cannabis	55	133	149	270	352
Positive For Cocaine	41	72	138	240	381

Having made enquiries within the Force above is all the information we have been able to retrieve.  This is based on the roadside tests and both drugs can be detected on a person therefore the above table includes the total numbers of positive test for either cannabis or cocaine, the totals have been merged.

Please note that all statistical data supplied in relation to Freedom of Information requests is a snapshot of data held at the time the request was received by the Freedom of Information office and is subject to constant change/updates.

The Cleveland Police response to your request is unique and it should be noted that Police Forces do not use generic systems or identical procedures to capture and record data therefore responses from Cleveland Police should not be used as a comparison with any other force response you receive.

If you are not satisfied with this response or any actions taken in dealing with your request you have the right to request an independent internal review of your case under our review procedure. The APP College of Policing guidance states that a request for internal review should be made within 20 working days of the date on this response or 40 working days if extenuating circumstances to account for the delay can be evidenced.