Request for information on workforce drug and alcohol testing practices
Reference: 26003
Date Added: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Category:
Disclosure Details
Two duties are placed on public authorities under Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). Notwithstanding applicable exemptions, the first duty at, Section 1(1) (a), is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a request is held. The second duty at, Section1 (1) (b), is to disclose information that has been confirmed as being held. Under the provisions of those sections of the FOIA, we can confirm that the information you seek is not held by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent.
You requested the following information:
- Is the PCC aware of the drug and alcohol testing policy used by
Gwent Police for its officers, police staff, and contractors? If so,
does the PCC hold a copy of that policy, and has the PCC reviewed or
approved it?
No information held, although a copy is not held the PCC is aware of its existence but would not review it or sign it off as it is a Gwent Police policy.
- Does the Gwent Police drug testing policy include the following
safeguards: (a) Confirmatory laboratory testing (e.g. LC-MS/MS or
GC-MS) before any adverse action is taken on the basis of an
immunoassay screening result;
No information held
(b) Review by an independent Medical Review Officer (MRO) or
equivalent qualified professional;
No information held
(c) Consideration of lawful explanations for a positive result,
including the use of commercially available CBD products, prescribed
cannabinoid-based medicines (e.g. Sativex, Epidiolex), or dietary
sources;
No information held
(d) Referral to Occupational Health before disciplinary proceedings?
No information held
3. In the last three years, has the PCC received any complaints,
representations, or correspondence from officers, staff, or members of
the public regarding Gwent Police's drug testing procedures or
outcomes?
No information held in relation to substance misuse and drug testing services in the workplace
4. Has the PCC commissioned, funded, or overseen any substance misuse
or drug testing services in the Gwent area? If so, do the
commissioning contracts or service specifications require the
safeguards listed in Question 2?
No information held in relation to substance misuse and drug testing services in the workplace
5. Is the PCC aware of any officer or staff member of Gwent Police who
has been dismissed or subjected to disciplinary action based solely on
an unconfirmed immunoassay drug screening result (i.e. without
confirmatory laboratory testing)?
No information held
I wanted to clarify the differences between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Gwent Police and to explain who you need to contact when requesting information. The OPCC and Gwent Police are two separate organisations. The role of the OPCC is to hold the police to account, we are not able to get involved in operational policing matters. Therefore, you may wish to contact Gwent Police directly to request the information using the following link
https://www.gwent.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/submit-request-for-information/
The Freedom of Information Act is a public disclosure regime, not a private regime. Any information disclosed under the Act is thereafter deemed to be in the public domain, and therefore freely available to the general public and will be published on the OPCC website.
You have the right to appeal our decision if you think it is incorrect. Should you feel dissatisfied with this response or the way in which your request was handled, information on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent FOI Appeals Procedure can be found on our website:
If you remain dissatisfied after an internal review decision, you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner ’s Office. The Commissioner is an independent regulator whose details can be found using the following link https://ico.org.uk/
You can also write to the Information Commissioner ’s Office at the following address:
Information Commissioner ’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF