Roadside Drug Testing (SA)

[hoptis]

Drivers to be drug tested
September 08, 2006 10:02am

ECSTASY will be included from today in roadside testing for South Australian drivers.

Police tests will now check for ecstasy, marijuana and amphetamines during a 12-month trial period. The penalties for ecstasy will be the same as for the other two drugs, a fine of $300 and three licence demerit points.

Premier Mike Rann said the move would send a clear message that driving under the influence of drugs was unacceptable.

"We are serious about reducing the carnage on our roads," Mr Rann said.

"Drug driving, like drink driving, is like playing Russian roulette with people's lives."

Mr Rann said too many drivers who died on South Australian roads were found to have drugs in their system.

From News.com.au

 

[hoptis]

Drug drive testing may be widened
LISA ALLISON
September 28, 2006 12:15am

ROADSIDE testing for a wider range of drugs, including heroin, is being considered by the State Government.

A decision on extending the range of drugs testing is done for will be made after July 1, at the completion of a 12-month trial of roadside testing for cannabis and methamphetamine.

The roadside saliva test initially tested for cannabis and methylamphetamine, but later testing for MDMA, or pure ecstasy, was included.

"We will be taking advice from the police, as well as people in our community," Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo said in Parliament this week.

She was responding to a question from Family First MLC Dennis Hood who told Parliament a recently released Drug and Alcohol Services of South Australia report, "Risk perception and drug driving among illicit drug users in Adelaide", showed many illicit drug users thought it was safe to drive while drugged.

The study surveyed 91 illicit drug users.

News.com.au

 

[hoptis]

60 drivers test positive for drugs - police
November 14, 2006 01:19pm

MORE than 60 drivers tested positive to drugs in the first round of state roadside testing, police in SA said today.

Releasing interim results in the drug testing trial today, Assistant Commissioner Grant Stevens said 3424 drivers were tested between July 1 and November 12.

Of those, 34 tested positive for methamphetamines, two tested positive to MDMA, 13 for cannabis and 14 to a combination of drugs.

Officers also detected 46 drivers over the blood alcohol limit but said no motorists tested positive for both drugs and alcohol.

"Although we are not yet half-way through the 12-month drug driver testing trial, we are producing results that indicate drug use is occurring amongst some drivers," Mr Stevens said.

"We consider driver drug testing to be clearly in the interests of road safety and we want drivers to know that if they use illicit drugs, or exceed alcohol limits they are likely to be detected."

Mr Stevens said police were pleased with the support from drivers for the tests and said most were patient and happy to co-operate with the five-minute roadside testing process.

News.com.au

 

[Mal hyde]

would methylone show up ??

 

[Splatt]

Probably not unless their test looks for all methylenedioxy substances, as methylone is not a real amphetamine

 

[lil angel15]

Police drug testing nabs two drivers
Tuesday, 27 March 2007. 13:00 (AEDT)

Two drivers have tested positive to drug use, during the first south-east visit of the police drug and alcohol testing unit.

More than 110 drivers were tested over the weekend during its time in Mount Gambier and Millicent.

Two drivers in Mount Gambier delivered positive results for drug use, although further testing is needed before a formal report can be made.

Senior Sergeant Steve Hill says it is proof that motorists not only take chances with alcohol, but also drugs.

"It wasn't unexpected, it's about right for the percentage of testing that they have been doing in the trial period in the last nine months or so that the trial has been going on," he said.

"We are well aware that in Mount Gambier and the south-east there are a lot of drivers out there with drugs in their system, which can potentially cause accidents like drink-driving."

ABC - South East SA

 

[lil angel15]

Crackdown on drug drivers
KIM WHEATLEY
June 07, 2007 03:30pm

DRUG drivers will be the target of a major crackdown, with almost 39,000 tests to be carried out each year, in a bid to lower the road toll.

The strategy follows the 12-month trial, ending next month, and will cost taxpayers $11.1 million over four years.

The move underpins a $114 million package of new law and order commitments, and also includes two new country police stations.

The State Government says efficiency savings of $193 million in Health and Families and Communities will partially fund the strategies, along with savings of $10 million identified in last year’s Budget.

Adelaide Now

 

[thinkpink]

Not sure if this has been covered and I did a search but it wasn't helpful but I don't want to start a new thread.

A friend of mine takes Duromine for weight loss/appetite suppressant and she gave me one to try. I looked it up on wikipedia and it says it's made up of "2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-amine and 2-methyl-amphetamine" which leaves me wondering, would it come up on a drug test?

 

[lil angel15]

SA to continue roadside drug tests

Roadside drug tests will continue to be run in South Australia, after a 12-month trial ended at midnight.

Over the past year, more than 10,000 drivers were tested across the state, with 259 confirmed positive drug results.

First-time offenders receive a fine and loss of demerit points, with increased penalties if they are caught again.

The trial's success will be reviewed, but Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo says she has already committed funding to increase the number of tests.

"What the statistics are telling us is that one in 38 drivers tested are on roads with drugs in their system and this is certainly cause for concern," she said.

"We want to make it clear that drug testing is here to stay."

ABC Online

 

[lil angel15]

One in 38 drivers test 'drug positive'
July 1, 2007 - 12:33PM

One in 38 drivers tested positive to drugs in the first 12 months of roadside drug testing, the South Australian government says.

Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo said driver drug testing would continue after drugs were detected in the system of at least 259 drivers out of the more than 10,000 tested.

Ms Zollo said that although the trial period had ended, testing would continue while a legislative review was undertaken.

She said an extra $11.1 million over four years had been allocated to roadside drug testing in the recent state budget, meaning nearly four times as many tests could be conducted each year.

As of June 28, 10,052 roadside tests had been conducted, with 259 confirmed results and another 36 results awaiting forensic analysis.

"That means one in 38 drivers tested are on roads with drugs in their system," she said.

"That is certainly cause for concern, so we want to make it clear that drug testing is here to stay."

Drivers caught driving with pure ecstasy, THC or methylamphetamine in their system face a fine of $300 and the loss of three demerit points.

Drivers refusing to take the test face a court imposed penalty of up to $900, at least six months' disqualification and the loss of six demerit points.

Brisbane Times

 

[lil angel15]

Drug-driving blitz
JOANNA VAUGHAN
August 07, 2007 06:30pm

AN EXTRA 250 traffic enforcement police would be trained and equipped to test for drug driving over the next year, under proposals examined by police.

The announcement comes after a concerning number of drivers tested positive to driving under the influence of illegal substances in the past 12 months.

Since July 1 last year, 336 people have tested positive to drug-driving, including 126 people for amphetamine use.

Of the total of 10,866 people tested, 76 drivers also tested positive for cannabis and nine for ecstasy.

A total of 80 drivers also tested positive for a combination including 63 for amphetamine and cannabis, 10 for amphetamine and ecstasy, two for ecstasy and cannabis and five for all three.

In the past month, 18 out of the 22 who tested positive were males aged between 19 and 38.

Assistant Commissioner Grant Stevens said the results were concerning.

"SAPOL is currently examining the expansion of the Driver Drug Testing program," he said.

"The intention is to train and equip approximately 250 Traffic Enforcement Section members over the next 12 months to expand our capacity for drug testing.

"Strategies will be developed to incorporate both intelligence-led static and mobile drug tactics."

The statistics were a part of a report handed to Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo yesterday that outlined the results for traffic programs and campaigns for July 2007.

Also in the report was the increased number of people who tested positive to mobile Random Breath Tests.

In July police tested 9662 people for drink driving, 307 of whom tested positive.

These figures are compared to the 143 people who tested positive to the 5538 tests in July last year.

"It appears there is still an element amongst motorists that still think it is okay to drink and drive," he said.

"The positive testing returns for mobile RBT tests is alarmingly high, doubling that of last year."

The traffic watch campaign was also embraced by the public with 15,053 people calling in since May last year.

As a result, five people were arrested, 6075 cautionary letters were sent out and 10 defect notices were issued.

Adelaide Now

 

[lil angel15]

28 drug drivers caught
MICHAEL OWEN
September 26, 2007 02:15am

ALMOST 30 motorists have been caught driving under the influence of the drug ecstasy in the 12 months since the substance was belatedly included under the state's drug-driving laws.

Latest SA Police figures show that up until last weekend, nine drivers had tested positive for MDMA, or ecstasy, alone, 11 had tested positive for both methylamphetamine and MDMA, two had tested positive for both MDMA and THC (cannabis) and six had tested positive for all three.

There were a further 32 samples awaiting laboratory confirmation, police said.

Opposition Upper House MP Rob Lucas said yesterday the Rann Government "had to be dragged kicking and screaming to recognise there was a significant loophole concerning ecstasy in their supposed tough drug-testing regime".

"The police figures demonstrate driving under the influence of ecstasy is an issue of concern and it should always have been part of the drug testing regime," he said.

Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo said: "As Methylamphetamine and MDMA have the same chemical signature, drivers with MDMA in their system were already being detected and taken off the road."

She said a decision to include more drug types, such as heroin, would be made once a review of existing roadside drug testing legislation was completed next month.

AdelaideNow

 

[thinkpink]

I thought there was going to be an article saying how many people got busted on the wknd. There was an event all day Sunday and the drug bus was parked just on the outskirts of town.

 

[Splatt]

Heroin and coke should of been on there if they're going to do THC, meth and mdma......

 

[lil angel15]

300 drivers caught using drugs
October 26, 2007 02:15am

ALMOST 300 drivers tested positive to drug driving during the first year of the laws being introduced in South Australia, figures show.

The figures released in a report on the first year of operation, found one in 34 drivers tested positive to one or more illegal drugs.

From the 10,097 drivers tested, 294 were found to be under the influence of at least one illegal substance and another 147 drivers also were found to have a blood alcohol level above the legal limit.

Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo said the review found the laws, which gave police the capabilities to test for cannabis, methylamphetamine and ecstasy, were introduced efficiently.

"SAPOL has reported a positive response from drivers," she said.

Adelaide Advertiser

 

[lil angel15]

Flaws in drug driver tests
JOANNA VAUGHAN, POLITICAL REPORTER
October 27, 2007 02:15am

MORE than one in 20 positive results from roadside drug-driving tests have later been overturned by laboratory checks.

A Parliament report on the first year of drug driving laws says about 6 per cent of the roadside tests have been proved wrong.

It says the rate is concerning and recommended police explore ways to ensure improved performance of their equipment.

The laws, which came into force on July 1 last year, give police the power to test drivers for the illegal drugs cannabis, methamphetamine and ecstasy.

In a three-step process, an initial swab is taken from the tongue which, if it shows a positive reading, is followed by another test in which a sample of saliva or blood is tested. If this records a positive reading, the sample is analysed in the laboratory.

Assistant Commissioner Grant Stevens said: "This is one area where we can improve.

"We would like our processes to be as close to 100 per cent as possible . . . " he said. "We are confident we will be able to reduce the incidents of false positives substantially through the review of our equipment."

If a driver does test positive to one or more drugs, they are forbidden from driving for up to 24 hours, but a fine is not issued until the results are confirmed by a laboratory.

In the first year, more than 10,000 drivers were tested and almost 300 recorded a positive reading. Of these, 127 tested positive to methamphetamine, 77 to cannabis, 64 to both cannabis and methamphetamine, 10 to both ecstasy and methamphetamine, nine to ecstasy, five for all three drugs and two to both cannabis and ecstasy.

Opposition police spokesman David Ridgway said the tests should always be accurate.

"The statistics released in the report show there are people out there who are driving under the influence of drugs, so if you are going to have tests, then they need to be accurate and as fail proof as possible," he said.

"It seems strange drugs would be detected at the roadside, but not in the lab, so this has to be addressed."

Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo said while she was happy with the first year of the operation, she would present the 18 recommendations from the report to Cabinet.

Adelaide Advertiser

 

[Iconoclast]

Is there any way of getting hold of some of the swabs they use for testing, Id like to do some of my own research on how effective they are at certain times.

 

[Mr TIMO]

I say bring back sobriety tests if they want to test for drugs, because i feel that by only being able to test for certain substances (there are hundreds of drugs people could be on so not feasible or even possible to test for all), then it is encouraging people to research drugs more and find out all the alternatives that they won't have to worry about if they just have some residual amount of the drug still in their system.
just my opinion... wouldn't happen though, i suppose cops just use conversation to see how well you're keeping it together...