FOI 46/25 Drug Use While Driving
Enquiry Reference: 46 - 24
I write in connection with regards to your Freedom of Information request. Below is your request and our response.
I would like to know how many people in the last calendar 5 years have tested positive to drugs when driving. In particular I would like to know how many tested positive to Benzoylecgonine ie BZE, the metabolite of cocaine without being positive to any other drug.
- The analyst has answered your request the best we can but not sure if we can capture all the data requested.
The breath test data we have only checks cocaine (and BZE) and cannabis.
We used to record BZE on drug tests but this was categorised alongside Cocaine as ‘Cocaine/BZE’. There is no entry for BZE on its own. This process changed after June 2023 so the volumes below are for 01/01/2020-30/06/20223.
The volumes for this are as follows:
|
Date |
Volume |
|
2020 |
314 |
|
2021 |
218 |
|
2022 |
55 |
|
2023 |
60 |
|
Grand Total |
647 |
After July 2023, there process changed and ‘Cocaine/BZE’ was no longer a selection. The selection was just ‘Cocaine’. The volumes for this are as follows:
|
Date |
Volume |
|
2023 |
97 |
|
2024 |
231 |
|
Grand Total |
328 |
As per the request, I have not included any results of ‘Cocaine/BZE’ or ‘Cocaine’ where there was another drug present.
However, as previously stated, this does not account for all other drugs as only cocaine and cannabis are checked with this test.
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 in
Information Rights Decision Maker