Sergeant Meadows comments on expanded roadside drug testing program to detect cocaine
DRUG DRIVING
In a move aimed at enhancing road safety and combating drug-related incidents, the Queensland Police have expanded their roadside drug testing program to include the detection of cocaine.
In response to the significant increase in the number of drivers found with cocaine in their systems over the past five years, the expansion of the roadside drug testing program took effect on July 7, 2023.
Previously, the testing kits used in the program were capable of identifying the presence of methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and THC (the active ingredient in cannabis) from saliva samples.
Motorists who test positive for cocaine, cannabis, speed, ice, or ecstasy face severe consequences, including licence disqualification, fines of up to $2,167, and the possibility of jail time for repeat offenders.
Roadside testing in the Douglas Shire
According to Damian Meadows, the Officer in Charge at Port Douglas Police, the roadside drug tests in the area are conducted exclusively by road policing.
“These tests are scheduled based on statistical data to determine peak times for drug and alcohol use, as well as during special events,” he explained.
“Unfortunately drug driving is now becoming almost as relevant as drink driving. It is a very disappointing thing that the number of people testing positive for driving under the influence of illicit drugs is on the increase.”
He highlighted the concerning statistic that in 2022, drug drivers or riders were involved in crashes that resulted in the loss of 61 lives, accounting for approximately 20.5 percent of all fatalities on Queensland roads.
"It's a very scary thing that the number of drunk drivers is almost equivalent to the number of drug drivers at the moment,” Mr Meadows commented.
Alarming rise in drug driving
The Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said that it's shocking to think that a quarter of all random drug tests in our state return a positive result.
“Drug driving is one of the major contributing factors to fatal crashes and after the number of lives lost on our roads last year, this change to roadside testing is very timely,” Mr Bailey said.
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