Justice minister Ivo Opstelten has drawn up new legislation which would force people arrested for violent offences to undergo drugs and alcohol testing.

At the moment, such tests are voluntary. If the measure becomes law, it may also be applied to groups of people accused of threatening behaviour, the minister said in a briefing to MPs.
Drink and drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines are often at the core of street and domestic violence and attacks on emergency service workers, the minister said.
‘Violence under the influence is more intense and the consequences are more serious,’ the minister said. ‘Re-offending is also more common.’
If drink and drugs are involved in crime, judges can impose higher sentences. The draft legislation has been sent to various organisations for their recommendations.
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