To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department plans to issue guidance to Jobcentre Plus staff on how to assess whether there are reasonable grounds for believing a jobseeker's allowance claimant or applicant is a problem drug user; and to what grades of staff the guidance will be issued. (260860)

[holding answer 5 March 2009]: Guidance and training for Jobcentre Plus staff on all aspects of the new drugs regime will be developed in consultation with the Department of Health, the National Treatment Agency and staff themselves. This will include training and guidance on how and in what circumstances to make a referral to a drug treatment specialist for an assessment of problematic drug use. The guidance will be made available to staff working in offices in the Jobcentre Plus districts operating the drugs pilots in good time before the pilots begin. The guidance will primarily be targeted at personal advisers and drugs coordinators.