Pubdate: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 Date: 09/28/1999 Source: Guardian, The (UK) Author: David Enright * Clearly there is a link between the use of certain drugs and crime. However, there is also a strong link between poverty, age, gender and crime. As a solicitor I am deeply concerned at the proposal to introduce drug testing for criminal suspects and that information then being used to deny bail. I believe police officers, often with the best intentions, would use such a tool to apply unlawful pressure upon suspects to make confessions. An officer dealing with a known drug user could quite clearly threaten a suspect with incarceration without trial for up to a year, whether guilty or not, on the basis that they will be denied bail on the results of a drug test. Many people are remanded in custody for up to a year before trial, although one-third of those will be found not guilty. Given such a stark choice, I believe that vulnerable persons will confess to offences, whether guilty or not. This proposed measure is an attack upon the most basic legal rights: the right to be treated as innocent until proven guilty and the presumption of bail. Should this be introduced, it will undoubtedly lead to serious and widespread abuse of criminal suspects. DAVID ENRIGHT St Albans Herts