AUSTRALIA: ROADSIDE DRUG TESTS TO CONTINUE

Victoria is continuing its roadside random drug testing beyond its
12-month trial period and is set to increase penalties for offenders.

The 12-month trial of saliva drug testing was to end on December 13
but Victorian Premier Steve Bracks today said random testing of
drivers would continue.

He also said the government was considering increasing penalties for
those caught driving with illicit drugs in their system.

During the trial period those who returned a positive laboratory
result incurred a $307 fine and lost three licence points.

"What we're waiting on is the final detail of the trial, but the
indications to date are that we can move towards tougher and harder
penalties for those people who are detected of having drugs in their
bloodstream and therefore putting themselves and other people in
danger on the roads," Mr Bracks said.

"We know it's one of the causes of road deaths and road injuries, and
we had lighter penalties initially whilst we're in the testing phase.

"What we're waiting on is recommendations to look at tougher penalties."

Victorian motorists were the first in the world to be subjected to
random roadside saliva testing for illegal drugs such as cannabis and
methamphetamine-based drugs.

The tests require motorists to place a small absorbent pad on their
tongues for a few seconds and then wait about five minutes before
their test results are known.

If they test positive for drugs, motorists are taken inside a police
bus for a second test and asked to provide two more saliva samples.

Despite being time consuming compared to the relatively quick breath
tests for alcohol, Mr Bracks said the drug tests had proved successful.

"You've got to remember that drug testing is a very complex matter," he said.

"We've used the best possible technology, it does take more time than
blood-alcohol testing but it has proved successful in the trials to date."

More than 10,500 drivers had been tested up to last month, with 214
testing positive for drugs, including 49 truck drivers.

Mr Bracks said police would continue to test drivers for illicit
drugs after the trial concluded, as legislation was in place which
allowed them to do so until July 2006.