Falchoon I see red Member 5,758 Member For: 22y 2m 11d Location: nowhere in particular Posted 15/04/04 03:57 AM Share Posted 15/04/04 03:57 AM http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/14/1081838794954.htmlNSW motorists could soon be pulled over and tested for drugs by being told to submit a saliva sample in the style of random breath testing.The Roads and Traffic Authority and NSW Police will monitor roadside trials of drug test swabs which will be carried out in Victoria. If successful, a drug test trial could begin in NSW by the end of the year.But civil libertarians are concerned that the tests could be an invasion of privacy and an unnecessary inconvenience.A spokesman for the NSW Police Minister, John Watkins, said last night: "We're watching the development of the legislation closely in Victoria and we will evaluate their trial as soon as possible."Across the state each year about 1000 motorists are arrested for driving under the influence of drugs after taking a blood test, compared with about 24,000 arrested for drink-driving each year.But highway patrol officers say they would catch many more drivers under the influence of drugs if the testing procedure was simpler.Methods being considered include a ice-block-style stick or a paper swab which drivers would suck or chew. There are also aerosols and swabs which can detect traces of drugs through skin pores on a person's arm. In each case, the material used changes colour when traces of amphetamines or cannabis are found. "At the moment [testing for drugs] is a complex, time-consuming procedure and you have to first determine that a driver behaving erratically is not affected by alcohol, then you can submit them to a blood test," the Commander of Traffic Services, Superintendent John Hartley, said.Highway patrol officers say the introduction of random drug testing is overdue. "A lot of younger people drink water when they go out to party but take a mouthful of drugs," one officer said. "They're just as dangerous [as drunk drivers] . . . but they're getting away with it."The Victorian trial will begin in July and last for a year. A spokesman for Victoria Police said the department has put the supply of its swabs out to tender. NSW Police and the RTA yesterday refused to say when the swabs were expected to be tested on NSW motorists but the Herald understands a trial is imminent.The president of the Council for Civil Liberties, Cameron Murphy, said: "We believe the devices dubious in terms of accuracy and their use becomes problematic for people who may be on legitimate medication."In Victoria, the draft legislation stipulates that the swabs may only be used to test for drugs and must not be retained for DNA testing.However, an editorial in the autumn edition of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner's newsletter expressed some concerns: "Giving a saliva sample is inherently more invasive of bodily privacy than blowing into a tube." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra potty trained Lifetime Members 1,938 Member For: 21y 10m 3d Gender: Male Posted 15/04/04 04:07 AM Share Posted 15/04/04 04:07 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnaXR6T Member 1,519 Member For: 22y 2m 30d Location: Sydney Australia Posted 15/04/04 04:59 AM Share Posted 15/04/04 04:59 AM Id like to know how these tests work because some drugs can stay in your system for months!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADGERSXR6TUTE Member 209 Member For: 20y 11m 15d Location: llandaff, tasmania Posted 15/04/04 05:12 AM Share Posted 15/04/04 05:12 AM they are thinking of doing the same thing here in tassie but could be a bit dodgy pot stays in your system for at least 4-6 weeks wouldn't be real fair losing your license just because you had a puff on a joint or two at a party a month ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown BA In Your Face Member 6,195 Member For: 21y 11m 19d Gender: Male Location: Peninsula Posted 15/04/04 06:59 AM Share Posted 15/04/04 06:59 AM You hear that KEN.....NO DRUGS FOR YOU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcos Member 289 Member For: 21y 3m 18d Location: Central Coast NSW Posted 15/04/04 08:05 AM Share Posted 15/04/04 08:05 AM Us railway employees are subject to random drug tests anytime during a shift..... we must provide a urine sample for the testing officer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducatijb Lifetime Members 3,448 Member For: 21y 10m 25d Gender: Male Location: sydney Posted 15/04/04 09:23 PM Share Posted 15/04/04 09:23 PM What so no more driving around tripping off my head.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainy Member 181 Member For: 21y 9m 14d Location: central coast Posted 15/04/04 09:57 PM Share Posted 15/04/04 09:57 PM Id like to know how these tests work because some drugs can stay in your system for months!! Just say NO__already have drug testing for us hard working truckers! They use some type of swab to take sample of skin.Also in 9 out of 10 accidentd involving trucks the truck driver has to undergo a blood test for drugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnaXR6T Member 1,519 Member For: 22y 2m 30d Location: Sydney Australia Posted 15/04/04 11:26 PM Share Posted 15/04/04 11:26 PM Just say no to the tests or to drugs??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redhawk ....Time to lay this fairytale aside...... Donating Members 2,657 Member For: 21y 11m 18d Gender: Male Location: In the Ferry on the River Styx, not getting out just yet! Posted 16/04/04 12:28 AM Share Posted 16/04/04 12:28 AM I'm sure there will be a cut-off point so the test won't show below a certain level, that's what's used in the mining industry over here.Also can bet your butt that if you hack a nice big goozy on the stick and the walloper is in a bad mood you'll get booked for spitting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now